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
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Sundance Elementary — Students at Sundance Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 70.65% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 76.62% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (858) 484-2950
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Poway Unified- District Enrollment
- 34,935
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,231
- District Rank
- #13 of 38
Other Schools in This District
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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