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Average

#7483 of 9,533 schools in CA

Spencer Valley Elementary

Elementary School · Spencer Valley Elementary

PO Box 159, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070

Enrollment

47

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#4,435 of 5,817

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Spencer Valley Elementary

Spencer Valley Elementary serves 47 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Santa Ysabel, California. This small rural school achieves remarkable academic results, ranking in the 90th percentile statewide at #973 out of 9,566 California schools with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. With just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.8 to 1, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students.

Academic performance is solid across core subjects, with 55% of students scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics. The school's success likely reflects both its intimate learning environment and the support of the surrounding community. The Santa Ysabel area, with a small population of 761 residents, represents a tight-knit rural community where families value education.

Local demographics show a median household income of $76,000 and median home values around $425,900, with 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Spencer Valley Elementary offers students the benefits of small-school education in a close-knit agricultural community setting, where individual attention and community connections help students thrive academically while maintaining strong ties to their rural San Diego County roots.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 47 students, Spencer Valley Elementary 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, Spencer Valley Elementary 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 Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Math vs. State Avg+18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$159,586

Spencer Valley Elementary — Students at Spencer Valley Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 78.2%
School
State
35.6%
ELA Proficiency 71.4%
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
90%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2024
Math
54.6%
ELA
54.6%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Spencer Valley Elementary Compares

See how Spencer Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
22th percentile in CA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 159, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spencer Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. James Dukes Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Ramona), which scores notably higher. Another option is Julian Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Julian), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S ELEMENTARY (rated 6.3/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Ramona), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Ysabel, see our Santa Ysabel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Julian Charter Julian 3.2 mi 7.9
Brookfield Engineering Science Technology Academy Palm Springs 3.2 mi 3.9
Julian Elementary Julian 3.2 mi 6.8
Julian Junior High Julian 3.2 mi 6.2
Julian High Julian 3.2 mi 6.9
Ramona Faith Academy Ramona 8.8 mi
James Dukes Elementary Ramona 10.4 mi 8.5
Warner Junior/Senior High Warner Springs 12.3 mi 7.6
Warner Elementary Warner Springs 12.3 mi 5.3
Barnett Elementary Ramona 11.0 mi 3.1
Thomsen Learning Center Ramona 12.5 mi
Montecito High (Continuation) Ramona 13.2 mi 5.7
Future Bound Independent Study Secondary Ramona 13.2 mi 2.9
Ramona Elementary Ramona 13.3 mi 5.7
Montessori Children's Elementary Ramona 13.3 mi
MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S ELEMENTARY Ramona 13.3 mi 6.3
Ramona High Ramona 13.8 mi 6.0
Olive Peirce Middle Ramona 14.0 mi 5.2
Ramona Lutheran Ramona 14.0 mi
RAMONA LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL Ramona 14.0 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92070 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,750

Median Home Value

$482,900

Median Rent

$1,586/mo

Population

749

College Educated

36.1%

Homeownership

47.3%

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

44.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Spencer Valley Elementary has a median household income of $83,750. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $482,900, with a median rent of $1,586/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
COUNTRY HILL MONTESSORI Fair Oaks, CA 5.1
JIE PING ACADEMY Sacramento, CA 5.1
LAGUNA NIGUEL JR ACADEMY Laguna Niguel, CA 5.1
Las Virgenes Independent Calabasas, CA 5.1
NORTH KERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco, CA 5.1
ROSSIER PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Orange, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spencer Valley Elementary

What grades does Spencer Valley Elementary serve?

Spencer Valley Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Spencer Valley Elementary?

Spencer Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Spencer Valley Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Spencer Valley Elementary is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Spencer Valley Elementary rank in CA?

Spencer Valley Elementary is ranked #7483 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Spencer Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Spencer Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Spencer Valley Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spencer Valley Elementary has 78.2% math proficiency and 71.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Spencer Valley Elementary a charter school?

No, Spencer Valley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Spencer Valley Elementary a Title I school?

No, Spencer Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spencer Valley Elementary?

44.7% of students at Spencer Valley 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

County Safety
Low (114/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Spencer Valley Elementary
District Enrollment
47
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$123,591
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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