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
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Surprise Valley Elementary — Students at Surprise Valley Elementary score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
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: 1.6/10.
How Surprise Valley Elementary Compares
See how Surprise Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 17.86% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 39.29% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (530) 279-6141
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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