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
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Spencer Valley Elementary — Students at Spencer Valley Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 90% (2019) to 54.55% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 54.55% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (760) 765-0336
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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