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Average

#5795 of 9,539 schools in CA

Shaffer Elementary

Elementary School · Atwater Elementary

1434 California St., Atwater, CA 95301

Enrollment

422

Student-Teacher

24.8:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,795 of 9,539

In Atwater

#8 of 11

public schools

In district

#8 of 9

Atwater Elementary

Academic performance

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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Shaffer Elementary

5.8/10

Elementary School in Atwater · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Thomas Olaeta Elementary

6.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mitchell Intermediate

6.1/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Shaffer Elementary

Shaffer Elementary is a public elementary school in Atwater, CA, part of Atwater Elementary. Shaffer Elementary serves approximately 422 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 24.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Shaffer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #5,795 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Shaffer Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Shaffer Elementary runs 24.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,368
Chronic Absenteeism22.7%

Shaffer Elementary — Students at Shaffer Elementary score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 41.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
54%
ELA
43%
2010
Math
58%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
26%
ELA
39%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
44%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
34.6%
ELA
42.2%
2024
Math
30%
ELA
36.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.

How Shaffer Elementary Compares

See how Shaffer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
39th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Winton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Elmer Wood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Merced), 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 6.3
Mitchell Intermediate Atwater 0.7 mi 6.1
Mitchell Elementary Atwater 0.9 mi 5.7
Atwater Senior Academy Atwater 1.0 mi
Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater 1.1 mi 7.8
Bellevue Elementary Atwater 1.1 mi 6.4
Bellevue Senior Elementary Atwater 1.1 mi 7.7
Valley Atwater Community Merced 1.2 mi 6.2
Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater 1.3 mi 7.0
Buhach Colony High Atwater 1.3 mi 5.8
Peggy Heller Elementary Atwater 1.7 mi 6.3
Atwater High Atwater 1.7 mi 5.5
Winton Middle Winton 2.6 mi 7.1
Frank Sparkes Elementary Winton 2.7 mi 8.3
Winfield Elementary Winton 3.0 mi 7.3
Sybil N. Crookham Elementary Winton 3.2 mi 5.8
McSwain Elementary Merced 3.6 mi 5.4
Franklin Elementary Merced 3.4 mi 7.7
Stone Ridge Christian Elementary School Merced 3.5 mi
Joe Stefani Merced 3.7 mi 4.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Albany Park Elementary Delano, CA 5.8
Arroyo Elementary Ontario, CA 5.8
BAIS CHAYA MUSHKA Los Angeles, CA 5.8
Bay Elementary San Lorenzo, CA 5.8
C. W. Dillard Elementary Wilton, CA 5.8
Calahan Street Elementary Northridge, CA 5.8

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 ranks #5,795 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Shaffer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Shaffer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Shaffer Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shaffer Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.7%

District

Atwater Elementary
District Enrollment
4,959
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,368
District Rank
#8 of 9

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