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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

Charter

Enrollment

451

Student-Teacher

26.5:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Math vs. State Avg+18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.2 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected-1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,395

Sonoma Mountain Elementary — Students at Sonoma Mountain Elementary score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.8%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 67.9%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 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
65%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
64.8%
ELA
69.1%

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.

Overall Score
7.5/10
76th percentile in CA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
59 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,469/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Old Adobe Union
District Enrollment
1,830
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,683
District Rank
#1 of 5

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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