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Average

#5540 of 9,539 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

6.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,540 of 9,539

In Cedarville

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Surprise Valley Joint Unified

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Surprise Valley Elementary

6.0/10

Elementary School in Cedarville · grades Kindergarten – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Surprise Valley High

5.0/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Warner High

Nearby

18.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Surprise Valley Elementary

Surprise Valley Elementary is a public elementary school in Cedarville, CA, part of Surprise Valley Joint Unified. Surprise Valley Elementary serves approximately 42 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-7th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Surprise Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #5,540 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Surprise Valley Elementary show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with CA schools
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 42 students, Surprise Valley Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Surprise Valley Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-17.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-19.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,698

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 42.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.6% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 50.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
47.1% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 28 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2012
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2014
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2016
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2018
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2020*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
52.1%
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: 5.3/10.

How Surprise Valley Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
42th percentile in CA
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent

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. Modoc High (rated 5.8/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Alturas), with a very similar rating. Another option is Surprise Valley High (rated 5.0/10), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Alturas Elementary (rated 4.9/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Alturas), a more accessible option. 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 5.8
DAD FOR LEARNING Alturas 19.1 mi
Modoc Middle Alturas 19.7 mi 4.8
Alturas Elementary Alturas 19.7 mi 4.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ADVENTIST UNION SCHOOL Bellflower, CA 6.0
Cesar Chavez Early Learning Center San Jose, CA 6.0
DAY PREP La Jolla, CA 6.0
DIABLO VALLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lafayette, CA 6.0
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Simi Valley, CA 6.0
MONARCH BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY Dana Point, CA 6.0

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 ranks #5,540 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Surprise Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Surprise Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Surprise Valley Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Surprise Valley Elementary has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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

District

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

Other Schools in This District

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