Average
#6184 of 9,533 schools in CA
Shaffer Elementary
Elementary School · Atwater Elementary
1434 California St., Atwater, CA 95301
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
24.8:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
24.8:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Atwater
#8 of 11
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,695 of 5,817
In district
#8 of 9
Atwater Elementary
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Shaffer Elementary
Shaffer Elementary, located in Atwater, California, is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 422 students and a student-teacher ratio of 24.8:1, the school benefits from having 17 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning community. Situated in a mid-size suburb, Shaffer Elementary offers a close-knit environment where students receive individual attention and care.
Shaffer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is currently at 4.8 out of 10, placing it in the 41st percentile among California schools, with an academic score of 5.2 out of 10. While test scores show that 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA and 31% in math, there is room for growth and development in these areas. Shaffer Elementary provides a supportive setting where educators focus on nurturing the whole child while emphasizing academic improvement.
The school's location in Atwater offers a suburban atmosphere with easy access to local amenities and community resources.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Shaffer Elementary is 24.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Shaffer Elementary — Students at Shaffer Elementary score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.8/10.
How Shaffer Elementary Compares
See how Shaffer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 29.83% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 37.07% (2024).
Location
1434 California St., Atwater, CA 95301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shaffer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frank Sparkes Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Winton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Franklin Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Merced), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sybil N. Crookham Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Winton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Atwater, see our Atwater schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Olaeta Elementary Atwater | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Mitchell Intermediate Atwater | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Mitchell Elementary Atwater | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Atwater Senior Academy Atwater | 1.0 mi | — |
| Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Bellevue Elementary Atwater | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Bellevue Senior Elementary Atwater | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Valley Atwater Community Merced | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Buhach Colony High Atwater | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Peggy Heller Elementary Atwater | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Atwater High Atwater | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Winton Middle Winton | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Frank Sparkes Elementary Winton | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Winfield Elementary Winton | 3.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Sybil N. Crookham Elementary Winton | 3.2 mi | 7.6 |
| McSwain Elementary Merced | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Franklin Elementary Merced | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Stone Ridge Christian Elementary School Merced | 3.5 mi | — |
| Joe Stefani Merced | 3.7 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,669
Median Home Value
$367,800
Median Rent
$1,215/mo
Population
42,374
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
56.7%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shaffer Elementary has a median household income of $66,669. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $367,800, with a median rent of $1,215/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo, CA | 5.7 |
| Abraham Lincoln Paramount, CA | 5.7 |
| Albert Baxter Elementary Bellflower, CA | 5.7 |
| Alicia Cortez Elementary Chino, CA | 5.7 |
| Ansgar Larsen Elementary Oxnard, CA | 5.7 |
| Arroyo Verde Elementary Highland, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shaffer Elementary
What grades does Shaffer Elementary serve?
Shaffer Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Shaffer Elementary?
Shaffer Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 422 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shaffer Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Shaffer Elementary is 24.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shaffer Elementary rank in CA?
Shaffer Elementary is ranked #6184 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Shaffer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Shaffer Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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.
What are the test scores at Shaffer Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shaffer Elementary has 30.6% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shaffer Elementary a charter school?
No, Shaffer Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shaffer Elementary a Title I school?
No, Shaffer Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shaffer Elementary?
85.5% of students at Shaffer Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,969/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Atwater). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 422
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 357-6145
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Atwater Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,959
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,368
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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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