Below Average
#8848 of 9,533 schools in CA
Sierra Foothill Charter
Elementary School · Sierra Foothill Charter District
4952 School House Rd., Catheys Valley, CA 95306
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#5,302 of 5,817
About Sierra Foothill Charter
Sierra Foothill Charter, a charter school located in the rural setting of Catheys Valley, California, serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 133 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.2:1, Sierra Foothill Charter provides a personalized learning environment supported by six full-time equivalent teachers. The school's focus is on fostering growth in its students, with recent academic performance showing that 53% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 32% are proficient or above in Math.
Sierra Foothill Charter aims to meet the needs of its community by offering a tailored educational experience. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10, reflecting areas for improvement but also highlighting dedication to student development. Located in Mariposa County, Sierra Foothill Charter benefits from a close-knit rural setting that encourages strong ties within the community.
With its unique approach and supportive environment, Sierra Foothill Charter stands as an important educational institution in Catheys Valley.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 133 students, Sierra Foothill Charter is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Foothill Charter is 22.2:1, 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 Foothill Charter 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
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Sierra Foothill Charter — Students at Sierra Foothill Charter score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.9%
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: 2.8/10.
How Sierra Foothill Charter Compares
See how Sierra Foothill Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 33.82% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 47.83% (2024).
Location
4952 School House Rd., Catheys Valley, CA 95306
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sierra Foothill Charter may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Plainsburg Union Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Merced), which scores notably higher. Another option is Le Grand Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Le Grand), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Planada Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Planada), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Catheys Valley, see our Catheys Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Victory Baptist Christian School Mariposa | 8.5 mi | — |
| VICTORY BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - VBCS Mariposa | 8.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Mariposa Elementary Mariposa | 8.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Monarch Academy Mariposa | 8.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Mariposa County High Mariposa | 8.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Sierra Home Mariposa | 11.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Spring Hill High (Continuation) Mariposa | 11.4 mi | — |
| County Community Mariposa | 11.4 mi | — |
| Le Grand Elementary Le Grand | 15.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Le Grand High Le Grand | 15.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Granada High Le Grand | 15.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Planada Elementary Planada | 15.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Woodland Elementary Mariposa | 14.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Planada | 15.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Raymond-Knowles Elementary Raymond | 18.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Raymond Granite High Oakhurst | 18.3 mi | — |
| Plainsburg Union Elementary Merced | 18.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Greeley Hill Elementary Coulterville | 22.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Coulterville High Coulterville | 22.3 mi | — |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Chowchilla | 21.7 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95306 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,724
Population
869
College Educated
30.8%
Homeownership
90.7%
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Median Age
58.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sierra Foothill Charter has a median household income of $77,724. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Margaret Keating Elementary Klamath, CA | 4.0 |
| OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL - LA Los Angeles, CA | 4.0 |
| Cinnabar Charter Petaluma, CA | 4.1 |
| Lake Marie Elementary Whittier, CA | 4.1 |
| Richmond Elementary Susanville, CA | 4.1 |
| Santa Ynez Valley Charter Santa Ynez, CA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sierra Foothill Charter
What grades does Sierra Foothill Charter serve?
Sierra Foothill Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Sierra Foothill Charter?
Sierra Foothill Charter has an enrollment of approximately 133 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Foothill Charter?
The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Foothill Charter is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sierra Foothill Charter rank in CA?
Sierra Foothill Charter is ranked #8848 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sierra Foothill Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
Sierra Foothill Charter has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Foothill Charter?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sierra Foothill Charter has 32.5% math proficiency and 53.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sierra Foothill Charter a charter school?
Yes, Sierra Foothill Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Sierra Foothill Charter a Title I school?
No, Sierra Foothill Charter is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sierra Foothill Charter?
42.9% of students at Sierra Foothill Charter 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
- County Safety
- High (1,600/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 133
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Mariposa County
- Phone
- (209) 742-6222
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sierra Foothill Charter District- District Enrollment
- 133
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,864
- 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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