Average
#5835 of 9,533 schools in CA
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
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#3,509 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 2
Placer Hills Union Elementary
Equity
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Sierra Hills Elementary
Sierra Hills Elementary serves 375 students in kindergarten through third grade in the scenic community of Meadow Vista, California. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1, providing a manageable learning environment during these crucial early elementary years. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 76th percentile statewide at #2258 out of 9566 California elementary schools.
Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 61% achieving proficiency or above, while 51% meet or exceed standards in English Language Arts and reading. These results reflect the school's focus on building strong foundational skills in the primary grades. Sierra Hills Elementary draws families from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $115,795 and home values average $655,000.
The area boasts an educated population, with 40% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 3.1%. This socioeconomic stability supports student learning and family engagement in education. The school sits in Placer County's rural landscape near the town of Meadow Vista, offering students a peaceful setting that balances small-town charm with access to the greater Sacramento region's resources and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Hills Elementary is 22.1:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Sierra Hills Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Sierra Hills Elementary — Students at Sierra Hills Elementary score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 5.5/10.
How Sierra Hills Elementary Compares
See how Sierra Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 60.67% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 50.56% (2024).
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 6.6/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Auburn), which scores slightly higher. Another option is LIVE OAK WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cottage Hill Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), with a very similar 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 | 5.5 |
| Pine Hills Adventist Academy Auburn | 4.0 mi | — |
| Bowman Charter Auburn | 4.1 mi | 6.6 |
| WEIMAR ACADEMY Weimar | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Weimar Hills Weimar | 4.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Cottage Hill Elementary Grass Valley | 4.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Magnolia Intermediate Grass Valley | 4.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Bear River High Grass Valley | 4.7 mi | 5.4 |
| 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 | 3.6 |
| EV Cain Middle Auburn | 6.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Placer County Special Education Auburn | 6.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Placer County Court Schools Auburn | 6.5 mi | — |
| Placer County Pathways Charter Auburn | 6.5 mi | 8.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sierra Hills Elementary has a median household income of $101,023. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $671,800, with a median rent of $1,500/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Adelante Dual Language Academy San Jose, CA | 5.9 |
| Alamosa Park Elementary Vista, CA | 5.9 |
| Barton Elementary San Bernardino, CA | 5.9 |
| Bishop Elementary Sunnyvale, CA | 5.9 |
| Booker T. Washington Elementary El Centro, CA | 5.9 |
| Buchanan Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #5835 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sierra Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sierra Hills Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Hills Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sierra Hills Elementary has 62.8% math proficiency and 52.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (296/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (530) 878-9473
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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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