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Below Average

#7843 of 9,533 schools in CA

South Sutter Charter

School · South Sutter Charter District

4535 Missouri Flat Rd. Ste. 1A, Placerville, CA 95667

Charter

Enrollment

2,485

Student-Teacher

23.4:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Placerville

#12 of 17

public schools

California schools

#358 of 475

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About South Sutter Charter

South Sutter Charter serves 2,485 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Placerville, California, operating as a public charter school with 106 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 23.4:1. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #4534 out of 9566 California schools, placing it in the 53rd percentile statewide. Academically, South Sutter Charter shows mixed performance with room for growth.

About 52% of students achieve proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels, while 32% reach proficiency in mathematics. The school maintains an academic score of 6.5 out of 10, indicating opportunities for continued improvement in student outcomes. The school draws families from a stable community where the median household income reaches $84,296 and median home values sit at $485,900.

About 29% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 9.6%. With a ZIP code population of 36,084, the area provides a substantial base for the school's large enrollment. South Sutter Charter operates in a rural setting, offering students the benefits of a quieter, more spacious environment while serving one of the larger student populations in the region.

What's said publicly about South Sutter Charter

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

South Sutter Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school in California that serves students from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade 1 . Operating as an Independent Educational Management (IEM) school, it has supported individualized learning since 1994 1 . The institution utilizes an independent study, distance learning, and homeschool model, offering personalized curriculum choices and flexible meetings with credentialed teachers 1 . Students have access to over 2,000 vendors to purchase educational products using annual instructional funds, which range from $2,800 for TK-K students to $4,300 for high schoolers 1 . The school provides free access to iReady targeted instruction, a well-stocked curriculum library, and hundreds of A-G course options 1 . Additional academic support includes multiple high school pathways, summer school, and supplemental online courses taught by content experts 1 . Social and enrichment opportunities include monthly field trips across California and interactive in-person events, contingent on health orders 1 . The school is accredited and governed by a board that holds regular meetings, with the next scheduled for May 26, 2026 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.sscs.cc
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

South Sutter Charter is a large school with 2,485 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at South Sutter Charter is 23.4:1, 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.

South Sutter Charter 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.3%
Math vs. State Avg-13.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.5 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness1.1Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,046

South Sutter Charter — Students at South Sutter Charter score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.7%
School
State
35.7%
ELA Proficiency 51.4%
School
State
47.1%

Based on 20 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
20%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
31.9%
ELA
51.7%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How South Sutter Charter Compares

See how South Sutter Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in CA
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers

Location

4535 Missouri Flat Rd. Ste. 1A, Placerville, CA 95667

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Sutter Charter may also want to explore other schools in the area. Marcum-Illinois Union Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.1 miles away, in nearby East Nicolaus), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wheatland Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Wheatland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bear River (rated 6.9/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Wheatland), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Placerville, see our Placerville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Marcum-Illinois Union Elementary East Nicolaus 0.1 mi 8.0
East Nicolaus High Nicolaus 0.8 mi 5.0
Browns Elementary Rio Oso 2.7 mi 5.3
Riverside Meadows Intermediate Plumas Lake 5.6 mi 5.1
Cobblestone Elementary Plumas Lake 6.3 mi 5.8
Pleasant Grove Pleasant Grove 6.4 mi 6.1
Rio Del Oro Elementary Plumas Lake 7.0 mi 3.9
Arboga Elementary Olivehurst 9.7 mi 4.5
Bear River Wheatland 8.8 mi 6.9
Wheatland Union High Wheatland 8.9 mi 6.2
Wheatland Community Day High Wheatland 8.9 mi
Edward P. Duplex Wheatland 8.9 mi 5.4
Wheatland Elementary Wheatland 9.2 mi 7.6
Rising Star Sped Academy-Sirius Campus Yuba City 9.2 mi
Robbins Elementary Robbins 9.0 mi 5.1
Olivehurst Elementary Olivehurst 11.5 mi 4.8
Johnson Park Elementary Olivehurst 11.7 mi 5.4
Lindhurst High Olivehurst 11.9 mi 5.2
South Lindhurst Continuation High Olivehurst 12.0 mi 4.6
Yuba Gardens Intermediate Olivehurst 12.2 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95667 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,499

Median Home Value

$527,900

Median Rent

$1,408/mo

Population

36,286

College Educated

28.6%

Homeownership

75.2%

Avg Commute

27.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

49.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Sutter Charter has a median household income of $90,499. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $527,900, with a median rent of $1,408/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Natomas Charter Sacramento, CA 4.8
Yosemite Valley Charter Fresno, CA 4.7
Horizon Charter Lincoln, CA 5.0
Sky Mountain Charter Placerville, CA 5.0
California Virtual Academy @ San Joaquin Simi Valley, CA 4.5
Ocean Grove Charter Placerville, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Sutter Charter

What grades does South Sutter Charter serve?

South Sutter Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend South Sutter Charter?

South Sutter Charter has an enrollment of approximately 2,485 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Sutter Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at South Sutter Charter is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Sutter Charter rank in CA?

South Sutter Charter is ranked #7843 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is South Sutter Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

South Sutter Charter 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 South Sutter Charter?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Sutter Charter has 31.7% math proficiency and 51.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Sutter Charter a charter school?

Yes, South Sutter Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is South Sutter Charter a Title I school?

No, South Sutter Charter is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Sutter Charter?

39.1% of students at South Sutter Charter 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 (2,192/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
2,485
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
106
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Sutter County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Sutter Charter District
District Enrollment
2,485
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,073
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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