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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Zion Lutheran School compares to the 3 public schools in Terra Bella, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
This School
vs
19.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
31
This School
vs
275
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.4
This School
vs
6.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 48.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 19.4% vs 0%
Zion Lutheran School Terra Bella Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.1 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,285.1
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 63%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 31
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)

White 48.4%
Two or More 32.3%
Hispanic 19.4%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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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