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Below Average

#7495 of 9,539 schools in CA

Sierra Primary

Elementary School · Fort Sage Unified

PO Box 35, Herlong, CA 96113

Enrollment

45

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,495 of 9,539

In Herlong

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Fort Sage Unified

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Sierra Primary

4.8/10

Elementary School in Herlong · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mt. Lassen Charter

5.6/10

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

Herlong High

6.2/10

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

About Sierra Primary

Sierra Primary is a public elementary school in Herlong, CA, part of Fort Sage Unified. Sierra Primary serves approximately 45 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Sierra Primary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #7,495 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Sierra Primary show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.4 pts below CA schools
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 45 students, Sierra Primary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Sierra Primary 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.

33% of students at Sierra Primary 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 Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency11.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36 pts
Overall Proficiency11% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-31.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,060
Chronic Absenteeism33.3%

Sierra Primary — Students at Sierra Primary score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.6% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 26.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
47.1% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 28 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2010
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2011
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2012
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
11.1%
ELA
11.1%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Sierra Primary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
21th percentile in CA
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.3%

Location

PO Box 35, Herlong, CA 96113

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Primary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MICHAEL INSKEEP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 32.0 miles away, in nearby Reno), which scores notably higher. Another option is Shaffer Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Litchfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Johnstonville Elementary (rated 5.6/10, 29.2 miles away, in nearby Susanville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Herlong, see our Herlong schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 36.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Mt. Lassen Charter Herlong 0.1 mi 5.6
Herlong High Herlong 0.5 mi 6.2
Fort Sage Middle Herlong 0.5 mi
Long Valley Doyle 6.6 mi 5.7
Shaffer Elementary Litchfield 21.1 mi 6.7
DIAMOND VIEW MENNONITE CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Standish 21.0 mi
Janesville Elementary Janesville 23.8 mi 4.2
McNutt Academy Janesvile 24.2 mi
C. Roy Carmichael Elementary Portola 28.8 mi 4.0
Loyalton High Loyalton 32.4 mi 5.0
Sierra Pass (Continuation) Loyalton 32.4 mi
Portola Junior/Senior High Portola 29.3 mi 6.0
Beckwourth (Jim) High (Continuation) Portola 29.3 mi
MICHAEL INSKEEP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Reno 32.0 mi 8.7
Loyalton Elementary Loyalton 32.5 mi 4.8
COLD SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno 32.3 mi 4.1
NANCY GOMES ELEMENTARY Reno 33.1 mi 5.4
Lassen County Special Education Susanville 28.5 mi
Johnstonville Elementary Susanville 29.2 mi 5.6
DESERT HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Reno 36.3 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96113 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,922

Median Home Value

$72,200

Median Rent

$1,082/mo

Population

2,310

College Educated

9.4%

Homeownership

47.1%

Poverty Rate

23.9%

Median Age

37.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DAR-UL-MADINAH Sacramento, CA 4.8
HIGHLAND AVENUE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Cucamonga, CA 4.8
NORMANDIE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES Los Angeles, CA 4.8
Pope Valley Elementary Pope Valley, CA 4.8
VALLEY OF THE SACRED HEART ACADEMY Dixon, CA 4.8
Irwin O. Addicott Fresno, CA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sierra Primary

What grades does Sierra Primary serve?

Sierra Primary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Sierra Primary?

Sierra Primary has an enrollment of approximately 45 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Primary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Primary is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sierra Primary rank in CA?

Sierra Primary ranks #7,495 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Sierra Primary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Primary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Primary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sierra Primary has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Sierra Primary a charter school?

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

Is Sierra Primary a Title I school?

No, Sierra Primary is not currently a Title I school.

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

55.6% of students at Sierra Primary 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Lassen County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.3%

District

Fort Sage Unified
District Enrollment
229
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,060
District Rank
#3 of 3

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