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Average

#7589 of 9,533 schools in CA

Sierra Elementary

Elementary School · Lancaster Elementary

747 West Avenue J-12, Lancaster, CA 93534

Enrollment

711

Student-Teacher

28.4:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lancaster

#27 of 47

public schools

California elementary schools

#4,503 of 5,817

In district

#11 of 22

Lancaster Elementary

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Sierra Elementary

Sierra Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Lancaster, California, within Los Angeles County. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 711 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 28.4:1 and 25 full-time equivalent teachers, Sierra Elementary aims to provide quality education despite its large size.

Sierra Elementary's academic performance shows areas where the school is focusing on improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #8746 out of 9566 schools in California (9th percentile). The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 20%, while math proficiency is at 10%. These scores indicate that the school has room for academic growth, with teachers likely working diligently to enhance student performance.

Sierra Elementary is situated in a large suburban area where it plays an essential role in the local community. Despite its challenges, Sierra Elementary continues to serve as a cornerstone of education and support for students and families in Lancaster.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Sierra Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Elementary is 28.4:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.1Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.1%
Math vs. State Avg-35.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.6 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,055

Sierra Elementary — Students at Sierra Elementary score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 10.2%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 20.3%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
11%
ELA
24%
2024
Math
10%
ELA
19.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.

How Sierra Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
20th percentile in CA
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

747 West Avenue J-12, Lancaster, CA 93534

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lancaster Alternative and Virtual Academies (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GRACE LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ANTELOPE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
RISE Lancaster 0.6 mi
The Leadership Academy Lancaster 0.6 mi 4.8
Empower Generations Lancaster 0.6 mi 4.3
Sunnydale Elementary Lancaster 0.5 mi 4.8
Lancaster Alternative and Virtual Academies Lancaster 0.6 mi 7.7
Life Source International Charter Lancaster 0.8 mi 5.8
Journey Int'l Cultural STEAM Academy Lancaster 0.8 mi
Grace Lutheran Elementary Lancaster 1.0 mi
GRACE LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lancaster 1.0 mi 6.9
LANCASTER-MONTESSORI PRE SCHOOL INC. Lancaster 1.0 mi
Seton, Inc. Lancaster 1.2 mi
Joshua Elementary Lancaster 1.0 mi 5.3
Assurance Learning Academy Lancaster 1.2 mi 4.0
Desert Sands Charter Lancaster 1.1 mi 6.3
League of Angels Learning Center Lancaster 1.4 mi
Mission Academy Lancaster 1.3 mi 5.2
Antelope Valley Adventist School Lancaster 1.4 mi
ANTELOPE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Lancaster 1.4 mi 3.3
ANTELOPE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Lancaster 1.4 mi 6.8
iLEAD Lancaster Charter Lancaster 1.2 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93534 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,891

Median Home Value

$339,900

Median Rent

$1,513/mo

Population

42,290

College Educated

17.5%

Homeownership

36.5%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

19.6%

Median Age

34.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sierra Elementary has a median household income of $58,891. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $339,900, with a median rent of $1,513/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.6%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Akira Yokomi Elementary Fresno, CA 5.0
Alisal Community Salinas, CA 5.0
Almond Acres Charter Academy Paso Robles, CA 5.0
Avenal Elementary Avenal, CA 5.0
Barranca Elementary Covina, CA 5.0
Brandon Elementary Goleta, CA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sierra Elementary

What grades does Sierra Elementary serve?

Sierra Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sierra Elementary?

Sierra Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 711 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Elementary is 28.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sierra Elementary rank in CA?

Sierra Elementary is ranked #7589 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sierra Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Sierra Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sierra Elementary has 10.2% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sierra Elementary a charter school?

No, Sierra Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sierra Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sierra Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sierra Elementary?

83.8% of students at Sierra 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

City Safety
High (2,788/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lancaster). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
711
Student-Teacher Ratio
28.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lancaster Elementary
District Enrollment
13,832
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,710
District Rank
#11 of 22

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 methodology

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