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Needs Improvement

#9061 of 9,539 schools in CA

Based on limited data

Valley Center Primary

Elementary School · Valley Center-Pauma Unified

28751 Cole Grade Rd., Valley Center, CA 92082

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Valley Center. Learn more

Enrollment

512

Student-Teacher

21.3:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 2nd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,061 of 9,539

In Valley Center

#6 of 9

public schools

In district

#5 of 8

Valley Center-Pauma Unified

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Valley Center Primary

3.4/10

Elementary School in Valley Center · grades Kindergarten – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Valley Center Elementary

3.0/10

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

Valley Center Prep

4.1/10

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

About Valley Center Primary

Valley Center Primary is a public elementary school in Valley Center, CA, part of Valley Center-Pauma Unified. Valley Center Primary serves approximately 512 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-2nd, and has a 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Center Primary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #9,061 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Based on limited data: 44% component coverage.

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Valley Center Primary runs 21.3:1 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 Primary 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.

52% of students at Valley Center Primary 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

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics3.6Needs Improvement55%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on 8 schools in Valley Center
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement45%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,832
Chronic Absenteeism51.8%

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Valley Center Primary Compares

See how Valley Center Primary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
5th percentile in CA
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.8%

Location

28751 Cole Grade Rd., Valley Center, CA 92082

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Center Primary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glen View Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores notably higher. Another option is All Tribes Elementary Charter (rated 6.9/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Reidy Creek Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Valley Center, see our Valley Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Valley Center Elementary Valley Center 0.4 mi 3.0
Valley Center Prep Valley Center 0.4 mi 4.1
Ambleside Academy Valley Center 1.9 mi
Valley Center High Valley Center 2.7 mi 5.5
Oak Glen High Valley Center 2.8 mi 6.9
Valley Center Middle Valley Center 2.7 mi 2.9
Lilac Valley Center 3.0 mi 3.1
Morning Star Ranch Training Program Valley Center 4.4 mi
All Tribes Elementary Charter Valley Center 4.6 mi 6.9
All Tribes Charter Valley Center 4.6 mi 7.4
Pauma Elementary Pauma Valley 5.3 mi 3.6
Valley High (Continuation) Escondido 6.3 mi 5.7
Orange Glen Elementary Escondido 6.6 mi 5.2
Quantum Academy Escondido 6.7 mi 8.3
Reidy Creek Elementary Escondido 6.3 mi 6.8
Glen View Elementary Escondido 6.8 mi 7.6
Ideal School Escondido 7.0 mi
Rincon Middle Escondido 6.7 mi 6.4
KINGS ACADEMY Escondido 7.1 mi 5.4
North Broadway Elementary Escondido 6.8 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Sacramento, CA 3.4
Adams Elementary Stockton, CA 3.4
Anza Elementary El Cajon, CA 3.4
Aspire Gateway Academy Charter Oakland, CA 3.4
Bridge Street Elementary Yuba City, CA 3.4
Carroll Fowler Elementary Ceres, CA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Center Primary

What grades does Valley Center Primary serve?

Valley Center Primary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 2nd.

How many students attend Valley Center Primary?

Valley Center Primary has an enrollment of approximately 512 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Center Primary?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Center Primary is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley Center Primary rank in CA?

Valley Center Primary ranks #9,061 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Valley Center Primary's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Center Primary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Valley Center Primary a charter school?

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

Is Valley Center Primary a Title I school?

No, Valley Center Primary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Center Primary?

53.9% of students at Valley Center Primary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 2nd
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.8%

District

Valley Center-Pauma Unified
District Enrollment
3,711
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,832
District Rank
#5 of 8

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