Excellent
#1052 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 11% in state
Williams Ranch Elementary
Elementary School · Penn Valley Union Elementary
14804 Pleasant Valley Rd., Penn Valley, CA 95946
Enrollment
185
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
185
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,052 of 9,539
In Penn Valley
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Penn Valley Union Elementary
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Williams Ranch Elementary
Elementary School in Penn Valley · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Vantage Point Charter
4.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ready Springs Elementary
4.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Williams Ranch Elementary
Williams Ranch Elementary is a public elementary school in Penn Valley, CA, part of Penn Valley Union Elementary. Williams Ranch Elementary serves approximately 185 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Williams Ranch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,052 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Williams Ranch Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2024).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 7.7
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 185 students, Williams Ranch Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Williams Ranch Elementary runs 23.1:1 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.
Williams Ranch Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Williams Ranch Elementary — Students at Williams Ranch Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Williams Ranch Elementary Compares
See how Williams Ranch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
14804 Pleasant Valley Rd., Penn Valley, CA 95946
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Williams Ranch Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nevada City School of the Arts (rated 8.8/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Nevada City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bell Hill Academy (rated 8.7/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Yuba River Charter (rated 7.9/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Penn Valley, see our Penn Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Vantage Point Charter Penn Valley | 4.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Ready Springs Elementary Penn Valley | 4.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Nevada City School of the Arts Nevada City | 3.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Yuba Environmental Science Charter Academy Oregon House | 7.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Dobbins Elementary Dobbins | 8.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Yuba River Charter Grass Valley | 6.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Grass Valley | 8.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Margaret G. Scotten Elementary Grass Valley | 6.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Lyman Gilmore Middle Grass Valley | 7.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Wolf Mountain Christian School Grass Valley | 8.6 mi | — |
| John Muir Charter Grass Valley | 7.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley | 7.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Mount St. Mary Academy Grass Valley | 7.6 mi | — |
| Silver Springs High (Continuation) Grass Valley | 7.9 mi | 6.3 |
| North Point Academy Grass Valley | 7.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley | 7.9 mi | 5.3 |
| ECHO RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nevada City | 7.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Echo Ridge Christian School Nevada City | 7.8 mi | — |
| Nevada Union High Grass Valley | 7.8 mi | 5.0 |
| William & Marian Ghidotti High Grass Valley | 8.3 mi | 8.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BROOKFIELD SCHOOL Sacramento, CA | 8.3 |
| MINARET ACADEMY Anaheim, CA | 8.3 |
| McCoppin (Frank) Elementary San Francisco, CA | 8.3 |
| Penryn Elementary Penryn, CA | 8.3 |
| Quincy Jones Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.3 |
| SERENDIPITY SCHOOL Belmont, CA | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Williams Ranch Elementary
What grades does Williams Ranch Elementary serve?
Williams Ranch Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Williams Ranch Elementary?
Williams Ranch Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 185 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Williams Ranch Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Williams Ranch Elementary is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Williams Ranch Elementary rank in CA?
Williams Ranch Elementary ranks #1,052 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Williams Ranch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Williams Ranch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Williams Ranch Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Williams Ranch Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2024).
Is Williams Ranch Elementary a charter school?
No, Williams Ranch Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Williams Ranch Elementary a Title I school?
No, Williams Ranch Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Williams Ranch Elementary?
49.2% of students at Williams Ranch 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 185
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Nevada County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.9%
- Phone
- (530) 432-7300
Resources & Links
District
Penn Valley Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 558
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,529
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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