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Very Good

#2994 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 31% in state

Vantage Point Charter

School · Penn Valley Union Elementary

10862 Spenceville Rd., Penn Valley, CA 95946

Charter

Enrollment

37

Student-Teacher

18.5:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Penn Valley

#2 of 3

public schools

California schools

#52 of 475

In district

#2 of 3

Penn Valley Union Elementary

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Vantage Point Charter

Vantage Point Charter is a charter school located in the rural community of Penn Valley, California. Serving kindergarten through twelfth grade, this small school has an enrollment of just 37 students, making it a tight-knit learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1. The school operates as a regular public school but offers flexibility and specialized programs typical of charter schools.

Vantage Point Charter's academic performance shows room for growth, with the MySchoolScout rating at 5.5 out of 10 and state ranking at #4598 out of 9566 California schools (placing it around the 52nd percentile). Students perform better in ELA/Reading, where 52% are proficient or above, compared to Math, with only 16% reaching proficiency. The school’s small size allows for individualized attention and support tailored to each student's needs.

Located in a serene rural setting, Vantage Point Charter is nestled among the natural beauty of Penn Valley, offering students an idyllic backdrop for learning and personal development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 37 students, Vantage Point Charter is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Vantage Point Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, Vantage Point Charter 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Math vs. State Avg-23.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.9 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,778

Vantage Point Charter — Students at Vantage Point Charter score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.5%
School
State
35.6%
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
47.1%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2024
Math
12%
ELA
52%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Vantage Point Charter Compares

See how Vantage Point Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

10862 Spenceville Rd., Penn Valley, CA 95946

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vantage Point Charter may also want to explore other schools in the area. Williams Ranch Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nevada City School of the Arts (rated 8.1/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Nevada City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bell Hill Academy (rated 8.1/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Penn Valley, see our Penn Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Ready Springs Elementary Penn Valley 0.0 mi 6.0
Williams Ranch Elementary Penn Valley 4.3 mi 8.8
Clear Creek Elementary Grass Valley 4.1 mi 5.0
Nevada City School of the Arts Nevada City 4.7 mi 8.1
Wolf Mountain Christian School Grass Valley 4.6 mi
Yuba River Charter Grass Valley 5.7 mi 7.5
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary Grass Valley 5.9 mi 4.5
John Muir Charter Grass Valley 5.9 mi 6.4
CHRISTIAN ENCOUNTER HIGH SCHOOL Grass Valley 6.8 mi
Christian Encounter High School Grass Valley 6.8 mi
Lyman Gilmore Middle Grass Valley 6.1 mi 6.3
Mount St. Mary Academy Grass Valley 6.2 mi
Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley 6.2 mi 8.1
Silver Springs High (Continuation) Grass Valley 6.4 mi 6.7
Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley 6.6 mi 6.7
North Point Academy Grass Valley 7.4 mi 4.2
Nevada Union High Grass Valley 7.4 mi 4.9
ECHO RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nevada City 7.6 mi 5.5
Echo Ridge Christian School Nevada City 7.6 mi
Arete Charter Academy Grass Valley 9.1 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95946 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,700

Median Home Value

$534,400

Median Rent

$2,049/mo

Population

9,448

College Educated

35.3%

Homeownership

82.2%

Avg Commute

35.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

57

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vantage Point Charter has a median household income of $84,700. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $534,400, with a median rent of $2,049/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute in the area is 35 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
FIRM FOUNDATION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Covina, CA 7.1
ACADEMY FOR ADVANCEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM Lancaster, CA 7.2
SOUTH BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chula Vista, CA 7.2
SPECTRUM CENTER, INC.-MISSION VALLEY CAMPUS Hayward, CA 7.2
DEL SOL SCHOOL, INC Cypress, CA 6.9
Floyd I. Marchus Concord, CA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vantage Point Charter

What grades does Vantage Point Charter serve?

Vantage Point Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Vantage Point Charter?

Vantage Point Charter has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vantage Point Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Vantage Point Charter is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vantage Point Charter rank in CA?

Vantage Point Charter is ranked #2994 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Vantage Point Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Vantage Point Charter has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Vantage Point Charter?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vantage Point Charter has 15.5% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vantage Point Charter a charter school?

Yes, Vantage Point Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Vantage Point Charter a Title I school?

No, Vantage Point Charter is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vantage Point Charter?

70.3% of students at Vantage Point Charter 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
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (466/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Nevada County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Penn Valley Union Elementary
District Enrollment
558
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,529
District Rank
#2 of 3

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 methodology

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