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Sierra Expeditionary Learning

Q: Is Sierra Expeditionary Learning a good school?

Sierra Expeditionary Learning ranks 851 st of 5817 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-8

851^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,817 California Elementary Schools

Better than 85% of California elementary schools

Summary

Sierra Expeditionary Learning is a highly-rated K-8 public school in Truckee, serving 216 students with an expeditionary learning model that emphasizes hands-on projects and strong academic outcomes.

The school consistently performs well above California state averages, with about 63% of students proficient in English and 58% in math. A standout feature is its exceptional student attendance, with a chronic absenteeism rate of less than 1%, far better than the state average and most nearby schools like Truckee Elementary (6.1%) and Glenshire Elementary (16.8%). It achieves these strong results efficiently, operating within the Sierra Expeditionary Learning District at a significantly lower cost per student than other local schools in the Tahoe-Truckee Unified district.

While serving a socioeconomically diverse population, Sierra Expeditionary Learning maintains solid performance across all grade levels from kindergarten through 8th grade. It is part of a trend of high-performing charter schools in the area, alongside Creekside Charter, though each has a distinct educational approach. The school's model demonstrates that strong student engagement and academic success can be achieved with focused resources, making it a distinctive and effective option for families in the Truckee community.

216

Students ?

21.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

20.4%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

≥ 95%

Kindergartners with all required immunizations (2024-25)

11603 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161-4953

(530) 582-3701

District: Sierra Expeditionary Learning District

Racial breakdown:

White:

59.7%

Hispanic:

31.5%

Two or more races:

6.9%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Sierra Expeditionary Learning to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 72nd percentile in 2023 → 85th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (61% vs 42% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 15% of California elementary schools

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 85th (2026) from a 72nd-percentile low (2023)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school61%

California avg42%

Elementary school

851^st of 5,817

California public elementary schools ?

Top 15%▼ down 4 pts since 2019

From top 10% (2019) to top 15% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

606^th of 2,740

California public middle schools ?

Top 22%▼ down 14 pts since 2019

From top 8% (2019) to top 22% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of California Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

203^rd of 1,530Sierra Expeditionary Learning District among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	86.2	851 of 5817	85.4%	★★★★☆
2025	85.1	918 of 5857	84.3%	★★★★☆
2024	79.6	1167 of 5869	80.1%	★★★★☆
2023	68.7	1635 of 5859	72.1%	★★★★☆
2022	78.4	1262 of 5883	78.5%	★★★★☆
2021	84.0	217 of 1417	84.7%	★★★★☆
2019	90.9	597 of 5789	89.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	84.2	865 of 5581	84.5%	★★★★☆
2025	77.5	1179 of 5597	78.9%	★★★★☆
2024	73.1	1349 of 5612	76.0%	★★★★☆
2023	81.2	1049 of 5609	81.3%	★★★★☆
2022	88.7	706 of 5635	87.5%	★★★★☆
2021	77.0	270 of 1267	78.7%	★★★★☆
2019	83.8	879 of 5492	84.0%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	86.9	752 of 5628	86.6%	★★★★☆
2024	81.9	1010 of 5643	82.1%	★★★★☆
2023	60.8	1909 of 5638	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	69.6	1552 of 5663	72.6%	★★★★☆
2021	82.7	217 of 1272	82.9%	★★★★☆
2019	92.7	395 of 5510	92.8%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	81.5	360 of 2536	85.8%	★★★★☆
2025	87.8	137 of 2598	94.7%	★★★★★
2024	80.4	406 of 2651	84.7%	★★★★☆
2023	65.6	951 of 2661	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	72.5	716 of 2726	73.7%	★★★★☆
2019	83.3	334 of 2834	88.2%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	73.2	606 of 2740	77.9%	★★★★☆
2025	78.8	500 of 2761	81.9%	★★★★☆
2024	81.0	460 of 2783	83.5%	★★★★☆
2023	91.3	251 of 2781	91.0%	★★★★★
2022	90.9	252 of 2740	90.8%	★★★★★
2021	93.7	49 of 894	94.5%	★★★★★
2019	91.7	223 of 2715	91.8%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	85.3	330 of 2516	86.9%	★★★★☆
2025	90.3	241 of 2533	90.5%	★★★★★
2024	72.6	586 of 2551	77.0%	★★★★☆
2023	91.5	210 of 2531	91.7%	★★★★★
2022	92.3	183 of 2509	92.7%	★★★★★
2021	88.4	67 of 738	90.9%	★★★★★
2019	92.3	171 of 2380	92.8%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	66.2	612 of 2579	76.3%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	65.8	721 of 2514	71.3%	★★★★☆
2025	74.1	541 of 2534	78.7%	★★★★☆
2024	90.1	247 of 2552	90.3%	★★★★★
2021	96.1	37 of 763	95.2%	★★★★★
2019	90.8	221 of 2407	90.8%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	72.7	359 of 1490	75.9%	★★★★☆
2025	81.4	213 of 1520	86.0%	★★★★☆
2024	76.3	309 of 1537	79.9%	★★★★☆
2023	89.6	82 of 1543	94.7%	★★★★★
2022	87.5	109 of 1555	93.0%	★★★★★
2019	84.5	171 of 1602	89.3%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Male (2025)87th percentile~ school

White (2026)86th percentile~ school

Female (2026)85th percentile~ school

Middle school

Female (2026)87th percentile+9 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2024)76th percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)76th percentile~ school

Male (2026)71st percentile-7 vs school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics64%+26 vs state

English Language Arts/Literacy61%+11 vs state

Science54%+18 vs state

★

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Schools Near Sierra Expeditionary Learning

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CAST Science (2026)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2026)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)							Vaccination (2024-25)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners with all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Sierra Expeditionary Learning	Public, Charter	K-8	11603 Donner Pass Rd.	Truckee	96161	Nevada County	Sierra Expeditionary Learning District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 582-3701	216	10	21.6	20.4%	129 (59.7%)	0 (0.0%)	68 (31.5%)	3 (1.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (6.9%)	86.2	851^st of 5817 public elementary schools	85.4%		85.1	918^th of 5857 public elementary schools	84.3%	67	72.7	37.5	54.4	70.8	64.0	72.7	53.9	65.4	37.5	60.5	62.5	76.0	54.6	69.2	65.4	54.2	64.0	≥ 95%
Truckee Elementary	Public	K-5	11911 Donner Pass Rd.	Truckee	96161	Nevada County	Tahoe-Truckee Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 582-2650	515	24	21.3	49.3%	213 (41.4%)	2 (0.4%)	271 (52.6%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (4.9%)	50.9	2559^th of 5817 public elementary schools	56.0%		49.1	2641^st of 5857 public elementary schools	54.9%	82	34.2		34.2	55.2	46.1	35.8				45.1	58.8	35.9	34.2				42.1	98%	0%	$25,127	$24,574	$553
Glenshire Elementary	Public	K-5	10990 Dorchester Dr.	Truckee	96161	Nevada County	Tahoe-Truckee Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 582-3720	499	21	23.9	15.2%	371 (74.3%)	2 (0.4%)	64 (12.8%)	3 (0.6%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (11.0%)	93.5	444^th of 5817 public elementary schools	92.4%		92.8	487^th of 5857 public elementary schools	91.7%	43	64.8		64.8	75.3	77.3	79.6				77.4	75.3	73.3	64.8				71.0	98%	0%	$26,038	$25,732	$306
Creekside Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	1916 Chamonix Pl.	Olympic Valley	96146	Placer County	Creekside Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 581-1036	233	11	21.1	6.9%	181 (77.7%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.7%)	4 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (15.9%)	98	65^th of 5817 public elementary schools	98.9%		98.2	50^th of 5857 public elementary schools	99.1%	15	84.0	73.9	79.2	100.0	72.0	92.0	96.0	72.7	73.9	84.5	95.7	92.0	76.0	76.0	77.3	73.9	81.8	92%	0%
Tahoe Lake Elementary	Public	K-5	375 Grove St.	Tahoe City	96145	Placer County	Tahoe-Truckee Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 582-2700	282	14	20.8	28.0%	183 (64.9%)	0 (0.0%)	72 (25.5%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (8.5%)	71.3	1515^th of 5817 public elementary schools	74.0%		75.8	1345^th of 5857 public elementary schools	77.0%	170	38.6		38.6	52.8	62.8	54.6				56.4	54.7	60.5	54.6				56.4	≥ 98%		$32,466	$32,160	$306
Kings Beach Elementary	Public	K-5	8125 Steelhead	Kings Beach	96143	Placer County	Tahoe-Truckee Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 582-3730	362	18	20.0	45.0%	146 (40.3%)	1 (0.3%)	193 (53.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (5.8%)	64	1877^th of 5817 public elementary schools	67.7%		57.9	2174^th of 5857 public elementary schools	62.9%	297	55.0		55.0	36.5	45.1	57.5				44.8	52.4	61.5	50.0				54.8	≥ 98%		$30,923	$30,332	$591
Donner Trail Elementary	Public	K-5	52755 Donner Pass Rd.	Soda Springs	95728	Nevada County	Tahoe-Truckee Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 582-2720	55	4	13.7	5.5%	52 (94.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.8%)								(n/a)					85.7					86.2		92.9					89.7			$49,569	$49,264	$305

Frequently Asked Questions about Sierra Expeditionary Learning

How many students attend Sierra Expeditionary Learning?

In the 2024-25 school year, 216 students attended Sierra Expeditionary Learning.

Is Sierra Expeditionary Learning a good school?

Sierra Expeditionary Learning ranks 851^st of 5817 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Sierra Expeditionary Learning?

Students at Sierra Expeditionary Learning are 60% White, 31% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What district is Sierra Expeditionary Learning in?

Sierra Expeditionary Learning District

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Latest California data All new data »

2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 15, 2026

2025–26 CAST, CSA Spanish & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresOct 15, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.