Excellent
#22 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 1% of private schools
Prospect Sierra School
Elementary School
960 AVIS DR, EL Cerrito, CA 94530
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
4.9:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
4.9:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In EL Cerrito
#1 of 4
public schools
California elementary schools
#11 of 1,102
About Prospect Sierra School
Prospect Sierra School serves 463 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in El Cerrito, offering an exceptional educational experience with one of the most impressive student-teacher ratios you'll find at 4.9:1. With 94 full-time equivalent teachers, students receive remarkably individualized attention that supports their academic and personal development. The school has earned a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #290 out of 1,790 California elementary schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.
This recognition reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and its success in fostering student achievement. Located at 960 Avis Drive, Prospect Sierra School sits in an affluent and highly educated community where 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's median household income of $119,761 and median home value of $1,046,500 indicate a community that highly values education and invests in their children's futures.
With a low poverty rate of 8.9%, the area provides a stable environment that supports student learning. The school operates as a regular public elementary school in this large suburban setting, serving families in the 94530 ZIP code area. Prospect Sierra School benefits from being part of a community of nearly 26,500 residents who prioritize education and create a supportive environment for academic growth.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 4.9:1, Prospect Sierra School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Prospect Sierra School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $39,671
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $39,708
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.00x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 89%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $30.8M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 463 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
960 AVIS DR, EL Cerrito, CA 94530
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prospect Sierra School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fairmont Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Kensington Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Kensington), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Madera Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in EL Cerrito, see our EL Cerrito schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prospect Sierra School El Cerrito | 0.0 mi | — |
| Invictus Academy of Richmond El Cerrito | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| El Cerrito High El Cerrito | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Fred T. Korematsu Middle El Cerrito | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Fairmont Elementary El Cerrito | 0.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Madera Elementary El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Harding Elementary El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Golestan School El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | — |
| GOLESTAN SCHOOL El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| St. John the Baptist El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | — |
| GROWING LIGHT MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF KENSINGTON Kensington | 0.9 mi | — |
| Albany Middle Albany | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Summit Public School K2 El Cerrito | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Kensington Elementary Kensington | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Albany High Albany | 1.3 mi | 9.0 |
| MacGregor High (Continuation) Albany | 1.3 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI FAMILY SCHOOL El Cerrito | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| East Bay Montessori El Cerrito | 1.4 mi | — |
| Tilden Preparatory School Albany | 1.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94530 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$127,731
Median Home Value
$1,097,300
Median Rent
$2,434/mo
Population
26,229
College Educated
66.4%
Homeownership
57.8%
Avg Commute
33.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prospect Sierra School has a median household income of $127,731. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,097,300, with a median rent of $2,434/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspire Firestone Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 8.5 |
| Birney Tech Academy Pico Rivera, CA | 8.5 |
| Carver Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
| Charles W. Barrett Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
| Cherry Chase Elementary Sunnyvale, CA | 8.5 |
| Cherrywood Elementary San Jose, CA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prospect Sierra School
What grades does Prospect Sierra School serve?
Prospect Sierra School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Prospect Sierra School?
Prospect Sierra School has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prospect Sierra School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prospect Sierra School is 4.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Prospect Sierra School rank in CA?
Prospect Sierra School is ranked #22 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Prospect Sierra School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prospect Sierra School has a composite rating of 8.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Prospect Sierra School a private school?
Yes, Prospect Sierra School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Prospect Sierra School a religious school?
No, Prospect Sierra School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 48 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 41 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 41 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,579/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Cerrito). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 463
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 4.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 94
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 181 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- CONTRA COSTA
- Phone
- (510) 809-9001
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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