Skip to main content

Below Average

#8912 of 9,533 schools in CA

Surprise Valley Elementary

Elementary School · Surprise Valley Joint Unified

PO Box 100, Cedarville, CA 96104

Enrollment

42

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 7th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cedarville

#2 of 2

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,349 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 2

Surprise Valley Joint Unified

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Surprise Valley Elementary

Surprise Valley Elementary in Cedarville, California is a small rural school serving students from kindergarten through seventh grade. With an enrollment of just 42 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, the school offers individualized attention and support to each child. The three full-time equivalent teachers at Surprise Valley are dedicated to fostering a nurturing learning environment.

Academically, Surprise Valley Elementary is currently ranked #6569 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it around the 31st percentile statewide. Students show proficiency rates of 46% in ELA/Reading and 36% in Math, indicating areas with room for growth but also a foundation to build upon. Situated in a remote rural area, Surprise Valley Elementary is part of the close-knit community of Cedarville, where students benefit from a tight-knit school setting that focuses on individual needs and strengths.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 42 students, Surprise 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, Surprise 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 Progress1.6Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.3%
Math vs. State Avg-17.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-19.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,652

Surprise Valley Elementary — Students at Surprise Valley Elementary score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.6%
School
State
35.6%
ELA Proficiency 46.1%
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
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2024
Math
17.9%
ELA
39.3%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Surprise Valley Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
7th percentile in CA
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

PO Box 100, Cedarville, CA 96104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Surprise Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Alturas Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Alturas), which scores notably higher. Another option is Surprise Valley High (rated 5.0/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Modoc High (rated 4.5/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Alturas), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cedarville, see our Cedarville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

8 within 20.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Surprise Valley High Cedarville 0.0 mi 5.0
Warner High Alturas 18.8 mi
High Desert Community Day Alturas 18.8 mi
Modoc High Alturas 19.0 mi 4.5
DAD FOR LEARNING Alturas 19.1 mi
Modoc Middle Alturas 19.7 mi 4.4
Alturas Elementary Alturas 19.7 mi 7.2
ALTURAS MENNONITE SCHOOL Alturas 20.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,484

Median Home Value

$248,200

Population

883

College Educated

16.2%

Homeownership

72.3%

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

54.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Surprise Valley Elementary has a median household income of $51,484. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,200. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AGAPELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield, CA 4.0
COUNTRYHILL MONTESSORI Citrus Heights, CA 4.1
LILY'S GARDEN PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Alhambra, CA 4.1
TEMECULA MONTESSORI ACADEMY Temecula, CA 4.1
Bridgeville Elementary Bridgeville, CA 3.9
GREEN CHINESE SCHOOL Los Altos, CA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Surprise Valley Elementary

What grades does Surprise Valley Elementary serve?

Surprise Valley Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 7th.

How many students attend Surprise Valley Elementary?

Surprise Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 42 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Surprise Valley Elementary is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Surprise Valley Elementary rank in CA?

Surprise Valley Elementary is ranked #8912 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Surprise Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Surprise Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Surprise Valley Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Surprise Valley Elementary has 35.6% math proficiency and 46.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Surprise Valley Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Surprise Valley Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

47.6% of students at Surprise 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.

9 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (555/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Modoc County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Surprise Valley Joint Unified
District Enrollment
88
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,698
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.