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Average

#4756 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 50% in state

Sierra Hills Elementary

Elementary School · Placer Hills Union Elementary

16505 Placer Hills Rd., Meadow Vista, CA 95722

Enrollment

375

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,756 of 9,539

In district

#1 of 2

Placer Hills Union Elementary

Equity

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Sierra Hills Elementary

6.4/10

Elementary School in Meadow Vista · grades Kindergarten – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Live Oak Waldorf School

Nearby

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

Forest Lake Christian School

Nearby

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

About Sierra Hills Elementary

Sierra Hills Elementary is a public elementary school in Meadow Vista, CA, part of Placer Hills Union Elementary. Sierra Hills Elementary serves approximately 375 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-3rd, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Sierra Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #4,756 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Sierra Hills Elementary show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with CA schools
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Sierra Hills Elementary runs 22.1:1 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.

Sierra Hills Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

31% of students at Sierra Hills Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,803
Chronic Absenteeism31.2%

Sierra Hills Elementary — Students at Sierra Hills Elementary score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 63.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
40.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 54.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.0% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
60.7%
ELA
50.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.

How Sierra Hills Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in CA
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.2%

Location

16505 Placer Hills Rd., Meadow Vista, CA 95722

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bowman Charter (rated 7.7/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Auburn), which scores notably higher. Another option is LIVE OAK WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Auburn), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Meadow Vista, see our Meadow Vista schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Live Oak Waldorf School Meadow Vista 2.2 mi
LIVE OAK WALDORF SCHOOL Meadow Vista 2.3 mi 6.3
Forest Lake Christian School Auburn 2.9 mi
PINE HILLS ADVENTIST ACADEMY Auburn 3.9 mi 5.4
Pine Hills Adventist Academy Auburn 4.0 mi
Bowman Charter Auburn 4.1 mi 7.7
WEIMAR ACADEMY Weimar 3.9 mi 7.2
Weimar Hills Weimar 4.6 mi 5.5
Cottage Hill Elementary Grass Valley 4.7 mi 4.4
Magnolia Intermediate Grass Valley 4.8 mi 5.2
Bear River High Grass Valley 4.7 mi 6.9
Global SchoolONE Auburn 5.5 mi
Legacy Christian School at Confluence Church Auburn 5.6 mi
LEGACY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Auburn 5.7 mi 4.5
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn 5.6 mi 5.7
Auburn Elementary Auburn 5.8 mi 3.9
EV Cain Middle Auburn 6.4 mi 4.4
Placer County Special Education Auburn 6.5 mi 4.1
Placer County Court Schools Auburn 6.5 mi
Placer County Pathways Charter Auburn 6.5 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95722 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,023

Median Home Value

$671,800

Median Rent

$1,500/mo

Population

4,439

College Educated

44%

Homeownership

88.4%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

3.4%

Median Age

58.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach, CA 6.4
BASIS INDEPENDENT FREMONT Fremont, CA 6.4
Bellevue Elementary Santa Rosa, CA 6.4
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pacific Palisades, CA 6.4
Cabrillo Avenue Elementary San Pedro, CA 6.4
Captain Leland Norton Elementary San Bernardino, CA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sierra Hills Elementary

What grades does Sierra Hills Elementary serve?

Sierra Hills Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Sierra Hills Elementary?

Sierra Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Hills Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Hills Elementary is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sierra Hills Elementary rank in CA?

Sierra Hills Elementary ranks #4,756 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Sierra Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Sierra Hills Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sierra Hills Elementary has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Sierra Hills Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sierra Hills Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

26.4% of students at Sierra Hills 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
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Placer County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.2%

District

Placer Hills Union Elementary
District Enrollment
762
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,803
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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