Below Average
#8637 of 9,533 schools in CA
Sierra Expeditionary Learning
Elementary School · Sierra Expeditionary Learning District
11603 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee, CA 96161
Enrollment
215
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
215
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Truckee
#6 of 6
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,148 of 5,817
Equity
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Sierra Expeditionary Learning
Sierra Expeditionary Learning serves 215 students in kindergarten through eighth grade as a charter school in Truckee, California. With 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.9:1, creating manageable classroom environments for elementary and middle school learners. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 76th percentile statewide at #2303 out of 9566 California schools.
Students show strong literacy skills with 62% scoring proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 55% achieve proficiency in Math. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence across all grade levels. Located on Donner Pass Road in the heart of Truckee, Sierra Expeditionary Learning serves a well-educated community where 59% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects stability and educational values, with a median household income of $113,433 and a low poverty rate of 8.4%. As a charter school, Sierra Expeditionary Learning likely offers innovative educational approaches while maintaining public school accessibility. The school sits in Truckee's mountain town setting, where families value both academic achievement and the unique opportunities that come with living in this scenic Nevada County community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Expeditionary Learning is 23.9:1, 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.
Sierra Expeditionary Learning is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Sierra Expeditionary Learning — Students at Sierra Expeditionary Learning score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.
How Sierra Expeditionary Learning Compares
See how Sierra Expeditionary Learning performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 55.56% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 61.81% (2024).
Location
11603 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee, CA 96161
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sierra Expeditionary Learning may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kings Beach Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby King Beach), which scores notably higher. Another option is Truckee Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Donner Trail Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Soda Springs), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Truckee, see our Truckee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Stream Alternative Truckee | 0.2 mi | — |
| Sierra High (Continuation) Truckee | 0.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Tahoe Truckee High Truckee | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Truckee Elementary Truckee | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Wild River - Coldstream Campus Truckee | 1.0 mi | — |
| Alder Creek Middle Truckee | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Tahoe Expedition Academy Truckee | 2.8 mi | — |
| TAHOE EXPEDITION ACADEMY Truckee | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Wild River - Haskatasun Truckee | 5.2 mi | — |
| Glenshire Elementary Truckee | 6.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Lake Tahoe Preparatory School Olympic Valley | 8.2 mi | — |
| LAKE TAHOE PREPATORY SCHOOL Olympic Valley | 8.3 mi | 7.8 |
| SUGAR BOWL ACADEMY Norden | 6.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Creekside Charter Olympic Valley | 8.8 mi | 7.1 |
| North Tahoe High Tahoe City | 10.1 mi | 6.8 |
| North Tahoe Middle Tahoe City | 10.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Tahoe Lake Elementary Tahoe City | 11.0 mi | 4.3 |
| ISchool Kings Beach | 10.4 mi | — |
| Kings Beach Elementary King Beach | 11.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Donner Trail Elementary Soda Springs | 13.2 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 96161 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$128,535
Median Home Value
$922,000
Median Rent
$2,104/mo
Population
19,231
College Educated
60.4%
Homeownership
78.6%
Avg Commute
21.9 min
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
43.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sierra Expeditionary Learning has a median household income of $128,535. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $922,000, with a median rent of $2,104/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| ANTELOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Antelope, CA | 4.2 |
| Alpaugh Elementary Alpaugh, CA | 4.2 |
| Aspire Capitol Heights Academy Oakland, CA | 4.2 |
| CARLSBAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carlsbad, CA | 4.2 |
| CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - WEST CAMPUS El Cajon, CA | 4.2 |
| Gold Oak Elementary Placerville, CA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sierra Expeditionary Learning
What grades does Sierra Expeditionary Learning serve?
Sierra Expeditionary Learning serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Sierra Expeditionary Learning?
Sierra Expeditionary Learning has an enrollment of approximately 215 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Expeditionary Learning?
The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Expeditionary Learning is 23.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sierra Expeditionary Learning rank in CA?
Sierra Expeditionary Learning is ranked #8637 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sierra Expeditionary Learning's MySchoolScout rating?
Sierra Expeditionary Learning has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Expeditionary Learning?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sierra Expeditionary Learning has 58.0% math proficiency and 63.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sierra Expeditionary Learning a charter school?
Yes, Sierra Expeditionary Learning is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Sierra Expeditionary Learning a Title I school?
No, Sierra Expeditionary Learning is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sierra Expeditionary Learning?
23.3% of students at Sierra Expeditionary Learning qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,045/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Truckee). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 215
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Nevada County
- Phone
- (530) 582-3701
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sierra Expeditionary Learning District- District Enrollment
- 215
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,033
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
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