Average
#801 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 45% of private schools
Zion Lutheran School
Elementary School
10368 RD 256, Terra Bella, CA 93270
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#456 of 1,102
About Zion Lutheran School
Zion Lutheran School serves 31 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in the small community of Terra Bella, California. With just 3 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. Despite its modest size, Zion Lutheran School demonstrates remarkable academic excellence, earning a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #131 out of 1,790 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 93rd percentile among California schools.
This outstanding performance is particularly noteworthy given the school's rural setting and the challenges often associated with smaller educational institutions. The school serves families in the 93270 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $60,068 and median home value is $248,100. The surrounding community of approximately 5,700 residents includes many working families, with about 21% facing economic challenges.
Only 7% of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, making the school's academic achievements even more impressive. Zion Lutheran School is situated in a rural area near the town of Terra Bella in Tulare County, providing students with a close-knit educational environment surrounded by California's agricultural Central Valley landscape.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 31 students, Zion Lutheran School 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Zion Lutheran School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Zion Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Zion Lutheran School compares to the 3 public schools in Terra Bella, CA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Terra Bella
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Zion Lutheran School (this school) | 6.4 |
| Terra Bella Elementary | 7.7 |
| Carl Smith Middle | 7.8 |
| Saucelito Elementary | 4.1 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
10368 RD 256, Terra Bella, CA 93270
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Zion Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hope Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Porterville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Terra Bella Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vandalia Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Porterville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Terra Bella, see our Terra Bella schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Terra Bella Elementary Terra Bella | 2.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Carl Smith Middle Terra Bella | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Hope Elementary Porterville | 3.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Vandalia Elementary Porterville | 4.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Pioneer Middle Porterville | 4.9 mi | 7.5 |
| John J. Doyle Elementary Porterville | 5.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Santa Fe Elementary Porterville | 5.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Alta Vista Elementary Porterville | 5.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Olive Street Elementary Porterville | 6.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Porterville High Porterville | 6.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Granite Hills High Porterville | 6.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Roche Elementary Porterville | 6.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Ducor Union Elementary Ducor | 6.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Bartlett Middle Porterville | 6.6 mi | 7.3 |
| ST ANNE SCHOOL Porterville | 6.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Belleview Elementary Porterville | 6.7 mi | 6.7 |
| West Putnam Elementary Porterville | 6.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Summit Charter Academy Porterville | 6.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Sequoia Christian Academey Porterville Porterville | 7.1 mi | — |
| Citrus High Porterville | 7.3 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93270 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,795
Median Home Value
$291,800
Median Rent
$1,082/mo
Population
5,703
College Educated
5.8%
Homeownership
67.2%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Zion Lutheran School has a median household income of $76,795. It is a community where 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,800, with a median rent of $1,082/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| LEARNING PATHWAYS KINDERGARTEN San Jose, CA | 6.4 |
| LITTLE ACORNS GROW Reseda, CA | 6.4 |
| SPECTRUM MONTESSORI AT WOODBURY Irvine, CA | 6.4 |
| WILD ROOTS HOLISTIC LEARNING CENTER Temecula, CA | 6.4 |
| Willow Creek Elementary Montague, CA | 6.4 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fallbrook, CA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zion Lutheran School
What grades does Zion Lutheran School serve?
Zion Lutheran School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Zion Lutheran School?
Zion Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 31 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Zion Lutheran School rank in CA?
Zion Lutheran School is ranked #801 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Zion Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Zion Lutheran School has a composite rating of 6.4 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.
Is Zion Lutheran School a private school?
Yes, Zion Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Zion Lutheran School a religious school?
Zion Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 31
- Gender Split
- 45% M / 55% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
- School Day
- 7.1 hours
- Days Per Year
- 181 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- TULARE
- Phone
- (559) 535-4346
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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