Needs Improvement
#9278 of 9,539 schools in CA
Valley Center Elementary
Elementary School · Valley Center-Pauma Unified
28751 Cole Grade Rd., Valley Center, CA 92082
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
3.0
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
3.0
Grades
3rd – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,278 of 9,539
In Valley Center
#8 of 9
public schools
In district
#7 of 8
Valley Center-Pauma Unified
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Valley Center Elementary
Elementary School in Valley Center · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Valley Center Prep
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Valley Center Primary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Valley Center Elementary
Valley Center Elementary is a public elementary school in Valley Center, CA, part of Valley Center-Pauma Unified. Valley Center Elementary serves approximately 459 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 25.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Center Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #9,278 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Valley Center Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.3
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Valley Center Elementary runs 25.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Valley Center 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.
34% of students at Valley Center Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Valley Center Elementary — Students at Valley Center Elementary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 36 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: 1.7/10.
How Valley Center Elementary Compares
See how Valley Center Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
28751 Cole Grade Rd., Valley Center, CA 92082
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Center Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glen View Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rose Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores notably higher. Additionally, All Tribes Elementary Charter (rated 6.9/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Valley Center, see our Valley Center schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Center Prep Valley Center | 0.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Valley Center Primary Valley Center | 0.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Ambleside Academy Valley Center | 2.0 mi | — |
| Valley Center High Valley Center | 3.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Oak Glen High Valley Center | 3.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Valley Center Middle Valley Center | 2.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Lilac Valley Center | 3.1 mi | 3.1 |
| Morning Star Ranch Training Program Valley Center | 4.7 mi | — |
| All Tribes Elementary Charter Valley Center | 4.9 mi | 6.9 |
| All Tribes Charter Valley Center | 4.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Pauma Elementary Pauma Valley | 5.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Valley High (Continuation) Escondido | 5.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Orange Glen Elementary Escondido | 6.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Quantum Academy Escondido | 6.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Reidy Creek Elementary Escondido | 6.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Glen View Elementary Escondido | 6.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Ideal School Escondido | 6.6 mi | — |
| Rincon Middle Escondido | 6.4 mi | 6.4 |
| KINGS ACADEMY Escondido | 6.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Rose Elementary Escondido | 6.9 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92082 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$118,602
Median Home Value
$779,500
Median Rent
$1,473/mo
Population
20,596
College Educated
31.5%
Homeownership
87.9%
Avg Commute
35.8 min
Poverty Rate
9%
Median Age
41.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspire Arts & Sciences Academy Stockton, CA | 3.0 |
| Aspire Berkley Maynard Academy Oakland, CA | 3.0 |
| California Avenue Elementary Riverbank, CA | 3.0 |
| Cleo Gordon Elementary Fairfield, CA | 3.0 |
| Ernesto Galarza Elementary San Jose, CA | 3.0 |
| Glen View Elementary Gilroy, CA | 3.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley Center Elementary
What grades does Valley Center Elementary serve?
Valley Center Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Valley Center Elementary?
Valley Center Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 459 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Center Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Center Elementary is 25.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valley Center Elementary rank in CA?
Valley Center Elementary ranks #9,278 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Valley Center Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Center Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Valley Center Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Center Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Valley Center Elementary a charter school?
No, Valley Center Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valley Center Elementary a Title I school?
No, Valley Center Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Center Elementary?
63.0% of students at Valley Center 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 459
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.6%
- Phone
- (760) 749-1631
Resources & Links
District
Valley Center-Pauma Unified- District Enrollment
- 3,711
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,832
- District Rank
- #7 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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