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Very Good

#2712 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 28% in state

Sundance Elementary

Elementary School · Poway Unified

8944 Twin Trails Dr., San Diego, CA 92129

Enrollment

436

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Diego

#92 of 288

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,831 of 5,817

In district

#13 of 38

Poway Unified

Equity

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Sundance Elementary

Sundance Elementary stands out as an exceptional public school serving 436 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in San Diego's affluent Rancho Penasquitos area. With a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranking #198 among California's 9,566 elementary schools, Sundance consistently delivers outstanding academic results that place it in the 98th percentile statewide. The school's 22 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a manageable student-teacher ratio of 19.8:1, supporting strong educational outcomes across all grade levels.

Students demonstrate impressive proficiency rates, with 77% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and Reading, and 71% achieving proficiency in Mathematics. These scores significantly exceed state averages and reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence. Located on Twin Trails Drive, Sundance Elementary serves a highly educated community where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding 92129 ZIP code features a median household income of $146,754 and a low poverty rate of 6.1%, creating a stable, supportive environment for learning. With median home values around $932,400, the neighborhood attracts families who prioritize education and community involvement. Sundance Elementary operates within San Diego's dynamic urban landscape while maintaining the feel of a close-knit school community dedicated to student success.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.6%
Math vs. State Avg+25 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33.8 pts
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,249

Sundance Elementary — Students at Sundance Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.5%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 77.5%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 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
75%
ELA
81%
2024
Math
70.6%
ELA
76.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Sundance Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in CA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

8944 Twin Trails Dr., San Diego, CA 92129

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sundance Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pacific Sky (rated 8.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Canyon View Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Adobe Bluffs Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
RENAISSANCE VILLAGE ACADEMY San Diego 0.6 mi
Deer Canyon Elementary San Diego 0.5 mi 7.2
THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL San Diego 0.7 mi 7.9
Sunset Hills Elementary San Diego 0.7 mi 6.0
Mesa Verde Middle San Diego 0.7 mi 7.5
Black Mountain Middle San Diego 0.8 mi 6.0
Mt. Carmel High San Diego 0.8 mi 7.2
Adobe Bluffs Elementary San Diego 0.9 mi 8.0
Westview High San Diego 0.9 mi 7.7
Canyon View Elementary San Diego 1.1 mi 8.3
Park Village Elementary San Diego 1.6 mi 6.6
Ericson Elementary San Diego 2.4 mi 8.0
Sandburg Elementary San Diego 2.5 mi 6.4
Los Penasquitos Elementary San Diego 2.3 mi 6.9
Morning Creek Elementary San Diego 2.3 mi 7.4
Pacific Sky San Diego 2.3 mi 8.7
Hage Elementary San Diego 2.9 mi 5.3
Lifetime Montessori School San Diego 2.7 mi
Willow Grove Elementary San Diego 2.8 mi 7.5
Willow Ridge Academy San Diego 2.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92129 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$152,626

Median Home Value

$1,018,100

Median Rent

$2,671/mo

Population

53,080

College Educated

63.8%

Homeownership

72.5%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

5%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sundance Elementary has a median household income of $152,626. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,018,100, with a median rent of $2,671/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Abram Agnew Elementary San Jose, CA 7.3
Achieve Academy Oakland, CA 7.3
Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater, CA 7.3
Almaden Elementary San Jose, CA 7.3
Amy Imai Elementary Mountain View, CA 7.3
Bay View Elementary Santa Cruz, CA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sundance Elementary

What grades does Sundance Elementary serve?

Sundance Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sundance Elementary?

Sundance Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 436 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sundance Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sundance Elementary is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sundance Elementary rank in CA?

Sundance Elementary is ranked #2712 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sundance Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sundance Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Sundance Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sundance Elementary has 71.5% math proficiency and 77.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sundance Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sundance Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sundance Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

15.8% of students at Sundance 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
35 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,092/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Poway Unified
District Enrollment
34,935
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,231
District Rank
#13 of 38

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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