Skip to main content

Below Average

#7823 of 9,533 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

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Herlong

#2 of 3

public schools

California elementary schools

#4,640 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 3

Fort Sage Unified

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Sierra Primary

Sierra Primary is a small elementary school nestled in the remote rural area of Herlong, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, Sierra Primary has an enrollment of just 45 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, with four full-time equivalent teachers. The school operates as a regular public school focused on providing a personalized education in a close-knit community setting.

Sierra Primary's academic performance is currently in the lower ranks statewide, sitting at number 8383 out of 9566 schools in California. This places it in the 12th percentile, with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 22% and a Math proficiency rate of 12%. While these scores suggest room for improvement, Sierra Primary is likely concentrating on student development and support within its unique rural context.

The school's setting offers a tight-knit community where students can benefit from individualized attention and personalized learning experiences.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 45 students, Sierra Primary 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.

Located in a rural area, Sierra Primary 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency11.1%
Math vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36 pts
Overall Proficiency11%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-32.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,452

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 12.0%
School
State
35.6%
ELA Proficiency 21.9%
School
State
47.1%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
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
18th percentile in CA
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 35, Herlong, CA 96113

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Primary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. C. Roy Carmichael Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 28.8 miles away, in nearby Portola), which scores notably higher. Another option is NANCY GOMES ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 33.1 miles away, in nearby Reno), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DESERT HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 36.3 miles away, in nearby Reno), which scores notably 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 4.2
Herlong High Herlong 0.5 mi 6.0
Fort Sage Middle Herlong 0.5 mi
Long Valley Doyle 6.6 mi 4.4
Shaffer Elementary Litchfield 21.1 mi 6.3
DIAMOND VIEW MENNONITE CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Standish 21.0 mi
Janesville Elementary Janesville 23.8 mi 6.7
McNutt Academy Janesvile 24.2 mi
C. Roy Carmichael Elementary Portola 28.8 mi 8.2
Loyalton High Loyalton 32.4 mi 5.5
Sierra Pass (Continuation) Loyalton 32.4 mi
Portola Junior/Senior High Portola 29.3 mi 5.4
Beckwourth (Jim) High (Continuation) Portola 29.3 mi
MICHAEL INSKEEP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Reno 32.0 mi 6.7
Loyalton Elementary Loyalton 32.5 mi 6.4
COLD SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno 32.3 mi 4.1
NANCY GOMES ELEMENTARY Reno 33.1 mi 7.7
Lassen County Special Education Susanville 28.5 mi
Johnstonville Elementary Susanville 29.2 mi 3.0
DESERT HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Reno 36.3 mi 7.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sierra Primary has a median household income of $54,922. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $72,200, with a median rent of $1,082/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

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
Mountain Elementary Gasquet, CA 4.8
NORMANDIE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES Los Angeles, CA 4.8
Pleasant Valley Elementary San Miguel, CA 4.8
The Leadership Academy Lancaster, CA 4.8

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 is ranked #7823 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sierra Primary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Primary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Primary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sierra Primary has 12.0% math proficiency and 21.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (539/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.