Very Good
#2303 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 24% in state
Sonoma Mountain Elementary
Elementary School · Old Adobe Union
1900 Rainier Cir., Petaluma, CA 94954
Enrollment
451
Student-Teacher
26.5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
451
Student-Teacher
26.5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Petaluma
#5 of 30
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,580 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 5
Old Adobe Union
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Sonoma Mountain Elementary
Sonoma Mountain Elementary serves 451 students in kindergarten through sixth grade as a public charter school in Petaluma, California. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26.5 to 1, providing a structured learning environment for its elementary community. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #2095 out of 9566 California elementary schools.
Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 69% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 65% achieve proficiency or above in mathematics across all grade levels. Located on Rainier Circle in Petaluma, Sonoma Mountain Elementary sits within the 94954 ZIP code, an area characterized by economic stability with a median household income of $108,630 and median home values of $750,000. The surrounding community reflects an educated population, with 37% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of 5.7% among its 38,201 residents.
This charter school operates within Petaluma's small city setting in Sonoma County, offering families an alternative public education option in a well-established Northern California community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Sonoma Mountain Elementary is 26.5:1, 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.
Sonoma Mountain Elementary is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Sonoma Mountain Elementary — Students at Sonoma Mountain Elementary score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.
How Sonoma Mountain Elementary Compares
See how Sonoma Mountain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 64.63% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 68.95% (2024).
Location
1900 Rainier Cir., Petaluma, CA 94954
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sonoma Mountain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Corona Creek Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Meadow Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mary Collins Charter School at Cherry Valley (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Petaluma, see our Petaluma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Loma Vista Immersion Academy Petaluma | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Kenilworth Junior High Petaluma | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Meadow Elementary Petaluma | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Corona Creek Elementary Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| McDowell Elementary Petaluma | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| McKinley Elementary Petaluma | 1.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Petaluma Accelerated Charter Petaluma | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Live Oak Charter Petaluma | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| San Antonio High (Continuation) Petaluma | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Valley Oaks High (Alternative) Petaluma | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| La Tercera Elementary Petaluma | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Saint Vincent de Paul College Preparatory Petaluma | 2.0 mi | — |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL HIGH SCHOOL Petaluma | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Old Adobe Elementary Charter Petaluma | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Mary Collins Charter School at Cherry Valley Petaluma | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Miwok Valley Elementary Charter Petaluma | 2.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Cinnabar Charter Petaluma | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Cinnabar Elementary Petaluma | 2.0 mi | — |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Petaluma | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Casa Grande High Petaluma | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94954 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,564
Median Home Value
$790,100
Median Rent
$2,405/mo
Population
38,000
College Educated
36.9%
Homeownership
66.7%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Median Age
44.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sonoma Mountain Elementary has a median household income of $107,564. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $790,100, with a median rent of $2,405/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Ada W. Harris Elementary Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA | 7.5 |
| Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion Atherton, CA | 7.5 |
| Andrew Jackson Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 7.5 |
| Angeles Mesa Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 7.5 |
| Angier Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.5 |
| Armona Elementary Armona, CA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sonoma Mountain Elementary
What grades does Sonoma Mountain Elementary serve?
Sonoma Mountain Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Sonoma Mountain Elementary?
Sonoma Mountain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 451 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sonoma Mountain Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sonoma Mountain Elementary is 26.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sonoma Mountain Elementary rank in CA?
Sonoma Mountain Elementary is ranked #2303 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sonoma Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sonoma Mountain Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Sonoma Mountain Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sonoma Mountain Elementary has 64.8% math proficiency and 67.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sonoma Mountain Elementary a charter school?
Yes, Sonoma Mountain Elementary is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Sonoma Mountain Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sonoma Mountain Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sonoma Mountain Elementary?
12.6% of students at Sonoma Mountain 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 451
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 12.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Sonoma County
- Phone
- (707) 765-4305
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Old Adobe Union- District Enrollment
- 1,830
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,683
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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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