Needs Improvement
#8974 of 9,539 schools in CA
Vanguard Preparatory
Elementary School · Apple Valley Unified
12951 Mesquite Rd., Apple Valley, CA 92308
Enrollment
1,174
Student-Teacher
25:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
1,174
Student-Teacher
25:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,974 of 9,539
In Apple Valley
#6 of 15
public schools
In district
#5 of 14
Apple Valley Unified
Shortlisting around Vanguard Preparatory?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Vanguard Preparatory
Elementary School in Apple Valley · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Granite Hills High
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
High Desert Premier Academy
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Vanguard Preparatory
Vanguard Preparatory is a public elementary school in Apple Valley, CA, part of Apple Valley Unified. Vanguard Preparatory serves approximately 1,174 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 25:1 student-teacher ratio. Vanguard Preparatory has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #8,974 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Vanguard Preparatory show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 2.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Vanguard Preparatory runs 25:1 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Vanguard Preparatory — Students at Vanguard Preparatory score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.7%
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.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.
How Vanguard Preparatory Compares
See how Vanguard Preparatory performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
12951 Mesquite Rd., Apple Valley, CA 92308
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vanguard Preparatory may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Endeavour School of Exploration (rated 5.4/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Victorville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sitting Bull Academy (rated 3.9/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Apple Valley Virtual Academy (rated 3.5/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Apple Valley, see our Apple Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Granite Hills High Apple Valley | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| High Desert Premier Academy Apple Valley | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Apple Valley Virtual Academy Apple Valley | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Rancho Verde Elementary Apple Valley | 2.0 mi | 2.3 |
| Apple Valley High Apple Valley | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Yucca Loma Elementary Apple Valley | 2.1 mi | 2.6 |
| Sandia Elementary Apple Valley | 2.5 mi | 2.1 |
| Mariana Academy Apple Valley | 3.3 mi | 3.1 |
| Sycamore Rocks Elementary Apple Valley | 4.5 mi | 2.6 |
| Phoenix Academy Apple Valley | 4.2 mi | 2.8 |
| Sitting Bull Academy Apple Valley | 4.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Victor Valley Desert Christian Apple Valley | 4.9 mi | — |
| Rio Vista School of Applied Learning Apple Valley | 5.1 mi | 2.8 |
| APPLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Apple Valley | 5.6 mi | 5.6 |
| APPLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Apple Valley | 5.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Carmel Elementary Hesperia | 6.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Excelsior Charter Victorville | 6.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Lakeview Leadership Academy Victorville | 6.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Desert Knolls Elementary Apple Valley | 6.6 mi | 2.3 |
| Endeavour School of Exploration Victorville | 6.5 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92308 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,484
Median Home Value
$360,800
Median Rent
$1,390/mo
Population
42,402
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
71.1%
Avg Commute
41.7 min
Poverty Rate
19.1%
Median Age
36.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Earl Warren Elementary Lake Elsinore, CA | 3.5 |
| El Dorado Elementary Lancaster, CA | 3.5 |
| Feaster (Mae L.) Charter Chula Vista, CA | 3.5 |
| Joseph Widmer Jr. Elementary Manteca, CA | 3.5 |
| Kynoch Elementary Marysville, CA | 3.5 |
| Lakeland Village Lake Elsinore, CA | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vanguard Preparatory
What grades does Vanguard Preparatory serve?
Vanguard Preparatory serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Vanguard Preparatory?
Vanguard Preparatory has an enrollment of approximately 1,174 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vanguard Preparatory?
The student-teacher ratio at Vanguard Preparatory is 25:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vanguard Preparatory rank in CA?
Vanguard Preparatory ranks #8,974 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Vanguard Preparatory's MySchoolScout rating?
Vanguard Preparatory has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Vanguard Preparatory?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Vanguard Preparatory has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Vanguard Preparatory a charter school?
No, Vanguard Preparatory is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vanguard Preparatory a Title I school?
No, Vanguard Preparatory is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vanguard Preparatory?
69.7% of students at Vanguard Preparatory 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,174
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Bernardino County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.0%
- Phone
- (760) 961-1066
Resources & Links
District
Apple Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 13,756
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,735
- District Rank
- #5 of 14
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.