Average
#6537 of 9,533 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
5.5
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Valley Center
#4 of 9
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,883 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 8
Valley Center-Pauma Unified
About Valley Center Elementary
Valley Center Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural setting of Valley Center, California. The school serves students from third to fifth grade and has an enrollment of 459 students with a student-teacher ratio of 25.5:1. Teachers work diligently to provide quality education in this small town atmosphere.
The academic performance at Valley Center Elementary shows room for improvement, with the MySchoolScout rating sitting at 4.3 out of 10 and ranking 6407th among all California schools. In ELA/Reading, 33% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 26% reach proficiency levels. These scores suggest that the school is focusing on student development and growth.
Valley Center Elementary is situated near a small town, offering its students a peaceful rural environment with close-knit community ties. The setting provides a unique learning experience, blending academic pursuits with the simplicity of country living.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Center Elementary is 25.5:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Valley Center 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
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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 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How Valley Center Elementary Compares
See how Valley Center Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 28.05% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 32.51% (2024).
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. Reidy Creek Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glen View Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orange Glen Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores slightly 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 | 5.9 |
| Valley Center Primary Valley Center | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Ambleside Academy Valley Center | 2.0 mi | — |
| Valley Center High Valley Center | 3.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Oak Glen High Valley Center | 3.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Valley Center Middle Valley Center | 2.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Lilac Valley Center | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Morning Star Ranch Training Program Valley Center | 4.7 mi | — |
| All Tribes Elementary Charter Valley Center | 4.9 mi | 4.6 |
| All Tribes Charter Valley Center | 4.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Pauma Elementary Pauma Valley | 5.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Valley High (Continuation) Escondido | 5.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Orange Glen Elementary Escondido | 6.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Quantum Academy Escondido | 6.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Reidy Creek Elementary Escondido | 6.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Glen View Elementary Escondido | 6.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Ideal School Escondido | 6.6 mi | — |
| Rincon Middle Escondido | 6.4 mi | 7.5 |
| KINGS ACADEMY Escondido | 6.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Rose Elementary Escondido | 6.9 mi | 4.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Valley Center Elementary has a median household income of $118,602. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $779,500, with a median rent of $1,473/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. H. Morgan Elementary Rialto, CA | 5.5 |
| Adams Elementary San Diego, CA | 5.5 |
| Big Springs Elementary Simi Valley, CA | 5.5 |
| Bixby Elementary Long Beach, CA | 5.5 |
| Blackford Elementary San Jose, CA | 5.5 |
| Blanche Sprentz Elementary Folsom, CA | 5.5 |
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 is ranked #6537 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Valley Center Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Center Elementary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Valley Center Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Center Elementary has 26.4% math proficiency and 33.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Low (114/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 749-1631
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Valley Center-Pauma Unified- District Enrollment
- 3,711
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,832
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
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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