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Average

#4043 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 42% in state

Sierra Preparatory Academy

Elementary School · Santa Ana Unified

2021 North Grand Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705

Enrollment

776

Student-Teacher

18.5:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Ana

#31 of 73

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,576 of 5,817

In district

#21 of 51

Santa Ana Unified

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Sierra Preparatory Academy

Sierra Preparatory Academy serves kindergarten through eighth grade students in Santa Ana, located in Orange County. The school enrolls 776 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1, supported by 42 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Sierra Preparatory Academy is working with room for improvement.

State testing results show that 17% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and 11% are proficient or above in mathematics. These scores position the school in the 21st percentile statewide, reflecting significant challenges in student achievement. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 reflects these academic performance trends.

For families considering Sierra Preparatory Academy, it's worth understanding the current academic landscape and considering what support systems—both at school and at home—might help students thrive. The school serves the large, diverse community of Santa Ana, where families are looking for public education options for their elementary and middle grade children.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Sierra Preparatory Academy 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Math vs. State Avg-36.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,952

Sierra Preparatory Academy — Students at Sierra Preparatory Academy score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 10.7%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 17.4%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 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
9%
ELA
19%
2024
Math
11%
ELA
17.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.

How Sierra Preparatory Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in CA
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

2021 North Grand Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. John Muir Fundamental Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wallace R. Davis Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fairhaven Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Santa Ana, see our Santa Ana schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Citrus Springs Charter Temecula 0.2 mi 4.7
Ednovate - Legacy College Prep. Santa Ana 0.3 mi 7.3
IRVINE HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Santa Ana 0.3 mi 6.0
IRVINE HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Santa Ana 0.3 mi 5.9
John Muir Fundamental Elementary Santa Ana 0.4 mi 8.9
CALIFORNIA KIDS CENTERS Santa Ana 0.5 mi
Fairhaven Elementary Santa Ana 0.8 mi 7.1
Advanced Learning Academy Santa Ana 0.8 mi 6.5
REACH Academy Santa Ana 0.9 mi 6.8
Wallace R. Davis Elementary Santa Ana 0.8 mi 8.5
Bloomington Pre-University Education Orange 0.8 mi
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Ana 0.9 mi 3.5
Adelphia Classical Christian Academy Orange 1.0 mi
Garfield Elementary Santa Ana 1.0 mi 5.9
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Ana 1.1 mi 6.6
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Orange 1.2 mi 6.6
THE OPEN SCHOOL Santa Ana 1.1 mi 4.6
The Open School Santa Ana 1.1 mi
Raymond A. Villa Fundamental Intermediate Santa Ana 1.3 mi 6.3
OCSA Santa Ana 1.1 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$125,928

Median Home Value

$1,135,600

Median Rent

$2,250/mo

Population

48,680

College Educated

46.5%

Homeownership

61.5%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

39.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sierra Preparatory Academy has a median household income of $125,928. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,135,600, with a median rent of $2,250/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
A. E. Arnold Elementary Cypress, CA 6.7
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Sacramento, CA 6.7
Acacia Elementary Fullerton, CA 6.7
Ada Clegg Elementary Huntington Beach, CA 6.7
Agnes L. Smith Elementary Huntington Beach, CA 6.7
Anthony C. Traina Elementary Tracy, CA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sierra Preparatory Academy

What grades does Sierra Preparatory Academy serve?

Sierra Preparatory Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Sierra Preparatory Academy?

Sierra Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 776 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Preparatory Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Preparatory Academy is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sierra Preparatory Academy rank in CA?

Sierra Preparatory Academy is ranked #4043 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sierra Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Preparatory Academy has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Preparatory Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sierra Preparatory Academy has 10.7% math proficiency and 17.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sierra Preparatory Academy a charter school?

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

Is Sierra Preparatory Academy a Title I school?

No, Sierra Preparatory Academy is not currently a Title I school.

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

85.3% of students at Sierra Preparatory Academy 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 (2,203/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
776
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Ana Unified
District Enrollment
38,031
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,309
District Rank
#21 of 51

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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