Average
#5427 of 9,533 schools in CA
Virginia Peterson Elementary
Elementary School · Paso Robles Joint Unified
PO Box 7010, Paso Robles, CA 93447
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Paso Robles
#6 of 14
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,275 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 12
Paso Robles Joint Unified
About Virginia Peterson Elementary
Virginia Peterson Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Paso Robles, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 396 students and employs 18 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 22:1. Virginia Peterson Elementary ranks #5782 out of 9,566 schools in California based on MySchoolScout's metrics, placing it at the 40th percentile among the state’s schools.
While academic performance shows areas for growth, with only 35% proficiency in ELA and reading and 27% proficiency in math, Virginia Peterson Elementary is dedicated to supporting its students' development. The school fosters a close-knit community within a small city setting where teachers can provide personalized attention to each student. Virginia Peterson Elementary stands out as part of the welcoming Paso Robles neighborhood, offering a supportive environment for young learners.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Virginia Peterson Elementary is 22:1, 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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Virginia Peterson Elementary — Students at Virginia Peterson Elementary score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.7%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.4/10.
How Virginia Peterson Elementary Compares
See how Virginia Peterson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 25% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 36% (2019) to 37.5% (2024).
Location
PO Box 7010, Paso Robles, CA 93447
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Virginia Peterson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kermit King Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Glen Speck Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST ROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Paso Robles, see our Paso Robles schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Almond Acres Charter Academy Paso Robles | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Winifred Pifer Elementary Paso Robles | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Pat Butler Elementary Paso Robles | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Liberty High (Continuation) Paso Robles | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Independence High Paso Robles | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Paso Robles High Paso Robles | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Daniel Lewis Middle Paso Robles | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Thrive Academy El Paso De Robles (paso Robles) | 1.6 mi | — |
| Nickel S Ranch Academy Paso Robles | 1.6 mi | — |
| ST ROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Paso Robles | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Glen Speck Elementary Paso Robles | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Vineyard Classical Academy Paso Robles | 3.0 mi | — |
| Kermit King Elementary Paso Robles | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Paso Robles Independent Study Center Paso Robles | 3.4 mi | 5.0 |
| George H. Flamson Middle Paso Robles | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Georgia Brown Dual Immersion Magnet Elementary Paso Robles | 4.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Templeton Elementary Templeton | 4.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Templeton Middle Templeton | 4.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Eagle Canyon High Templeton | 5.0 mi | — |
| Templeton Independent Study High Templeton | 5.0 mi | 4.6 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 6.0 |
| Aliso Elementary Carpinteria, CA | 6.0 |
| Almond Grove Elementary Oakley, CA | 6.0 |
| Ambassador School-Global Education Los Angeles, CA | 6.0 |
| Amesti Elementary Watsonville, CA | 6.0 |
| Arroyo West Elementary Moorpark, CA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Virginia Peterson Elementary
What grades does Virginia Peterson Elementary serve?
Virginia Peterson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Virginia Peterson Elementary?
Virginia Peterson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Virginia Peterson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Virginia Peterson Elementary is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Virginia Peterson Elementary rank in CA?
Virginia Peterson Elementary is ranked #5427 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Virginia Peterson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Virginia Peterson Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Virginia Peterson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Virginia Peterson Elementary has 27.2% math proficiency and 35.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Virginia Peterson Elementary a charter school?
No, Virginia Peterson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Virginia Peterson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Virginia Peterson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Virginia Peterson Elementary?
67.7% of students at Virginia Peterson 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,234/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paso Robles). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 396
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- San Luis Obispo County
- Phone
- (805) 769-1250
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paso Robles Joint Unified- District Enrollment
- 6,252
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,315
- District Rank
- #5 of 12
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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