Needs Improvement
#9441 of 9,533 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
2.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
1,174
Student-Teacher
25:1
Score
2.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Apple Valley
#14 of 15
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,744 of 5,817
In district
#13 of 14
Apple Valley Unified
About Vanguard Preparatory
Vanguard Preparatory serves 1,174 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Apple Valley, a large suburban community in San Bernardino County. With 47 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25:1, typical for many California elementary schools. The school is working to strengthen academic outcomes, with current proficiency rates showing room for growth in core subjects.
About 30% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 22% meet standards in mathematics. These results place Vanguard Preparatory in the 20th percentile among California schools, earning a 3.4 rating from MySchoolScout, indicating ongoing opportunities for academic development and support. The school draws families from the 92308 area, where the median household income is $60,717 and the median home value is $333,500.
About 17% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 18.5% of families face economic challenges. This diverse economic landscape reflects the broader Apple Valley community, where families are working toward educational and economic advancement. Vanguard Preparatory sits within Apple Valley's suburban setting, serving students from a community that balances both opportunities and challenges as families strive for academic success in the high desert region of San Bernardino County.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Vanguard Preparatory is 25:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 16 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: 2.3/10.
How Vanguard Preparatory Compares
See how Vanguard Preparatory performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 21.63% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 30.47% (2024).
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. Carmel Elementary (rated 4.8/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Hesperia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Phoenix Academy (rated 4.2/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Endeavour School of Exploration (rated 4.1/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Victorville), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.6 |
| High Desert Premier Academy Apple Valley | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Apple Valley Virtual Academy Apple Valley | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Rancho Verde Elementary Apple Valley | 2.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Apple Valley High Apple Valley | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Yucca Loma Elementary Apple Valley | 2.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Sandia Elementary Apple Valley | 2.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Mariana Academy Apple Valley | 3.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Sycamore Rocks Elementary Apple Valley | 4.5 mi | 3.2 |
| Phoenix Academy Apple Valley | 4.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Sitting Bull Academy Apple Valley | 4.2 mi | 3.1 |
| Victor Valley Desert Christian Apple Valley | 4.9 mi | — |
| Rio Vista School of Applied Learning Apple Valley | 5.1 mi | 3.4 |
| 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 | 4.8 |
| Excelsior Charter Victorville | 6.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Lakeview Leadership Academy Victorville | 6.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Desert Knolls Elementary Apple Valley | 6.6 mi | 2.4 |
| Endeavour School of Exploration Victorville | 6.5 mi | 4.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vanguard Preparatory has a median household income of $63,484. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $360,800, with a median rent of $1,390/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. The average commute in the area is 42 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 |
|---|---|
| Edwin Markham Elementary Vacaville, CA | 2.9 |
| Robinson Academy Long Beach, CA | 2.9 |
| Brock Elliott Elementary Manteca, CA | 2.8 |
| Eugene Padan Elementary Vacaville, CA | 3.0 |
| Meadow Homes Elementary Concord, CA | 2.8 |
| Virginia R. Boris Elementary Fresno, CA | 3.0 |
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 is ranked #9441 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Vanguard Preparatory's MySchoolScout rating?
Vanguard Preparatory has a composite rating of 2.9 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 Vanguard Preparatory?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vanguard Preparatory has 23.6% math proficiency and 32.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 5 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 26 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 27 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,137/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Apple Valley). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 961-1066
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Apple Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 13,756
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,735
- District Rank
- #13 of 14
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.
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