Needs Improvement
#9155 of 9,533 schools in CA
Sundown Elementary
Elementary School · Westside Union Elementary
6151 West Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA 93536
Enrollment
889
Student-Teacher
26.9:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
889
Student-Teacher
26.9:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lancaster
#41 of 47
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,526 of 5,817
In district
#11 of 12
Westside Union Elementary
About Sundown Elementary
Sundown Elementary serves 889 students from kindergarten through sixth grade in Lancaster, California, operating with 33 full-time equivalent teachers for a student-teacher ratio of 26.9:1. This regular public school is currently focusing on student development, with academic performance showing room for growth across core subjects. In English Language Arts and reading, 28% of students achieve proficiency or above, while 18% meet or exceed standards in mathematics.
The school ranks in the 7th percentile among California elementary schools, reflecting ongoing challenges that the school community is working to address. With nearly 900 students, Sundown Elementary represents one of the larger elementary schools in the area, serving families from diverse backgrounds in the Lancaster community. Located on West Avenue J-8, the school sits within ZIP code 93536, where the median household income reaches $97,418 and median home values average $450,800.
The surrounding neighborhood of over 72,000 residents includes 26% of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 12.4%. Sundown Elementary operates within Lancaster's large suburban setting, serving families in this established Antelope Valley community north of Los Angeles.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Sundown Elementary is 26.9:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
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Sundown Elementary — Students at Sundown Elementary score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.
How Sundown Elementary Compares
See how Sundown Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 17.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 28.52% (2024).
Location
6151 West Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA 93536
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sundown Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gregg Anderson Academy (rated 7.7/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Palmdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Quartz Hill Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Quartz Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NOAH'S ARK - HOPE CHAPEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| NOAH'S ARK - HOPE CHAPEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Anapasec Adventures Lancaster | 1.3 mi | — |
| Academies of the Antelope Valley Quartz Hill | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Quartz Hill High Quartz Hill | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Fabunni Private School Lancaster | 1.4 mi | — |
| Eduventuring Academy PSP Quartz Hill | 1.7 mi | — |
| Endeavour Middle Lancaster | 1.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Academy of Divergent Learners Quartz Hill | 1.9 mi | — |
| Joe Walker Middle Lancaster | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Small Wonders Preschool & Learning Center Quartz Hill | 2.2 mi | — |
| West Wind Elementary Lancaster | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Quartz Hill Elementary Quartz Hill | 3.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Nancy Cory Elementary Lancaster | 2.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Lancaster High Lancaster | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| SOAR High (Students On Academic Rise) Lancaster | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Valley View Elementary Lancaster | 3.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Gregg Anderson Academy Palmdale | 4.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Amargosa Creek Middle Lancaster | 3.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Del Sur Senior Elementary Lancaster | 3.8 mi | 3.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$102,927
Median Home Value
$484,900
Median Rent
$1,946/mo
Population
72,013
College Educated
26.5%
Homeownership
69.3%
Avg Commute
32.7 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sundown Elementary has a median household income of $102,927. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $484,900, with a median rent of $1,946/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Imperial Beach Charter Imperial Beach, CA | 3.7 |
| Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary Salinas, CA | 3.7 |
| King Elementary Long Beach, CA | 3.7 |
| Luigi Aprea Elementary Gilroy, CA | 3.7 |
| Madison Elementary Stockton, CA | 3.7 |
| Mission Crest Elementary Hesperia, CA | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sundown Elementary
What grades does Sundown Elementary serve?
Sundown Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Sundown Elementary?
Sundown Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 889 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sundown Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sundown Elementary is 26.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sundown Elementary rank in CA?
Sundown Elementary is ranked #9155 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sundown Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sundown Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Sundown Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sundown Elementary has 19.8% math proficiency and 29.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sundown Elementary a charter school?
No, Sundown Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sundown Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sundown Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sundown Elementary?
59.6% of students at Sundown 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
- City Safety
- High (2,788/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lancaster). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 889
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (661) 722-3026
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Westside Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 9,138
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,325
- District Rank
- #11 of 12
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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