Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Alta Sierra Elementary

Q: Is Alta Sierra Elementary a good school?

Alta Sierra Elementary ranks 1708 th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

1708^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,857 California Elementary Schools

Better than 71% of California elementary schools

Summary

Alta Sierra Elementary is a well-regarded K-5 public school serving 338 students in Grass Valley, part of the Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary district, known for its consistent high performance and strong academic results.

The school stands out in the area for its excellent and steady academic achievement, particularly in mathematics, where it outperforms both the state and its own district by a significant margin. It maintains a strong 4-star rating and ranks in the top 30% of all California elementary schools, showing more stability than some neighboring schools like Arete Charter Academy or Chicago Park Elementary, whose rankings have fluctuated more. Alta Sierra is also notably effective in supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those in special education, achieving better results with moderate per-student spending compared to higher-spending schools such as Margaret G. Scotten Elementary.

Parents will be pleased to know the school has successfully reduced chronic student absences since the pandemic. While the school excels overall, performance is strongest in fourth grade, and there is some variation in science scores year-to-year that the school may be addressing. Compared to other high-performing local schools like Bell Hill Academy or Clear Creek Elementary, Alta Sierra represents a consistently excellent choice with a proven track record of supporting all students toward academic success.

338

Students ?

24.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,261

Per pupil spending ?

34.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

16607 Annie Dr.
Grass Valley, CA 95949-7147

(530) 272-2319

District: Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary

Students who attend Alta Sierra Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Magnolia Intermediate
High:	Bear River High

Racial breakdown:

White:

70.4%

Hispanic:

16.6%

Two or more races:

11.2%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Alta Sierra Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 81st percentile in 2015 → 71st in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (52% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Above the California median (71st percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 10 percentile points since 2015

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Large classes — about 24 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school52%

District avg44%

California avg41%

1,708^th of 5,857

California public elementary schools ?

Top 29%▼ down 11 pts since 2015

From top 19% (2015) to top 29% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 3Elementary Schools in the Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary

508^th of 1,543Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	67.6	1708 of 5857	70.8%	★★★★☆
2024	68.8	1648 of 5869	71.9%	★★★★☆
2023	69.6	1592 of 5859	72.8%	★★★★☆
2022	69.0	1647 of 5883	72.0%	★★★★☆
2021	75.2	327 of 1417	76.9%	★★★★☆
2019	67.8	1705 of 5789	70.5%	★★★★☆
2018	68.3	1658 of 5662	70.7%	★★★★☆
2017	60.7	1979 of 5692	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	68.3	1601 of 5614	71.5%	★★★★☆
2015	81.9	1041 of 5611	81.4%	★★★★☆
2013	81.3	990 of 5530	82.1%	★★★★☆
2012	79.1	1075 of 5390	80.1%	★★★★☆
2011	79.1	1060 of 5377	80.3%	★★★★☆
2010	77.0	1129 of 5314	78.8%	★★★★☆
2009	81.1	950 of 5193	81.7%	★★★★☆
2008	85.1	748 of 5113	85.4%	★★★★☆
2007	89.1	560 of 5113	89.0%	★★★★☆
2006	89.4	511 of 4818	89.4%	★★★★☆
2005	93.1	320 of 4822	93.4%	★★★★★
2004	90.2	503 of 4809	89.5%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	66.8	474 of 2227	78.7%	★★★★☆
2021	57.5	87 of 293	70.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	69.7	1514 of 5597	72.9%	★★★★☆
2024	67.3	1603 of 5612	71.4%	★★★★☆
2023	69.8	1501 of 5609	73.2%	★★★★☆
2022	75.1	1318 of 5635	76.6%	★★★★☆
2021	74.7	292 of 1267	77.0%	★★★★☆
2019	67.6	1623 of 5492	70.4%	★★★★☆
2018	66.1	1708 of 5413	68.4%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	69.1	1320 of 5460	75.8%	★★★★☆
2024	70.2	1260 of 5517	77.2%	★★★★☆
2023	70.3	1215 of 5363	77.3%	★★★★☆
2022	72.9	1037 of 5264	80.3%	★★★★☆
2021	54.0	427 of 1110	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	73.8	982 of 5173	81.0%	★★★★☆
2018	61.6	1652 of 5084	67.5%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	63.9	1795 of 5628	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.7	1674 of 5643	70.3%	★★★★☆
2023	67.1	1638 of 5638	70.9%	★★★★☆
2022	59.9	1962 of 5663	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	72.8	316 of 1272	75.2%	★★★★☆
2019	65.0	1722 of 5510	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	66.5	1640 of 5431	69.8%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2023	33.5	490 of 669	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	26.0	479 of 610	21.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2023	85.7	222 of 2420	90.8%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	40.6	1673 of 2598	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.3	1700 of 2651	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	46.5	1529 of 2661	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	36.0	1848 of 2726	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	34.0	2045 of 2834	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	34.2	1978 of 2737	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Special Education (2023)91st percentile+18 vs school

Disabled (2022)79th percentile+7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)76th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2025)73rd percentile~ school

Male (2025)68th percentile-3 vs school

White (2025)36th percentile-35 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)27th percentile-46 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

Mathematics54%+17 vs state

English Language Arts/Literacy52%+4 vs state

Science39%+6 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Alta Sierra Elementary

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, August 29, 2013

Besides a wonderful academic atmosphere, Alta Sierra school offers a caring, respectful and family type environs for all of the students. Close Quote

Schools Near Alta Sierra Elementary

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)							% Completely Immunized (2022)	% Polio (2022)	% Hepatitis B (2022)	% Varicella (2022)	% DTP (2022)	% MMR (2022)	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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% DTP KG	% MMR KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Alta Sierra Elementary	Public	K-5	16607 Annie Dr.	Grass Valley	95949	Nevada County	Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 272-2319	338	14	24.1	34.3%	238 (70.4%)	3 (0.9%)	56 (16.6%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (11.2%)	67.6	1708^th of 5857 public elementary schools	70.8%		68.8	1648^th of 5869 public elementary schools	71.9%	60	38.6		38.6	47.9	60.0	45.5				52.5	51.1	58.6	51.2				54.4	90.9	90.9	96.4	90.9	90.9	90.9	$20,261	$19,616	$645
Chicago Park Elementary	Public	K-8	15725 Mt. Olive Rd.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Chicago Park Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 346-2153	120	8	15.8	44.2%	84 (70.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (20.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (7.5%)	65.6	1812^th of 5857 public elementary schools	69.1%		45.7	2809^th of 5869 public elementary schools	52.1%	997	37.5		32.0	77.8	69.2	43.8				59.7	61.1	61.5	12.5				41.7							$29,295	$28,074	$1,221
Chicago Park Community Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	15725 Mount Olive Rd.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Chicago Park Elementary	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 346-2153	43	3	16.6	41.9%	32 (74.4%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (23.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.3%)								(n/a)										75.0							66.7							$29,295	$28,074	$1,221
Colfax Elementary	Public	K-8	24825 Ben Taylor Rd.	Colfax	95713	Placer County	Colfax Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 346-2202	345	18	19.4	40.6%	271 (78.6%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (12.5%)	3 (0.9%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (7.2%)	25.9	4323^rd of 5857 public elementary schools	26.2%		26.7	4239^th of 5869 public elementary schools	27.8%	84	12.8	27.5	20.3	27.3	22.2	20.5	39.5	31.0	40.0	30.3	39.4	27.8	12.8	36.8	33.3	25.0	29.0	89.7	89.7					$31,858	$30,524	$1,334
Arete Charter Academy	Public, Virtual, Charter	K-8	16229 Duggans Rd.	Grass Valley	95949	Nevada County	Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(530) 268-2805	207	9	22.5	32.4%	158 (76.3%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (13.0%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (9.7%)	49.5	2623^rd of 5857 public elementary schools	55.2%		38.5	3268^th of 5869 public elementary schools	44.3%	645	41.2	54.2	46.6	35.5	53.9	47.1	52.6	23.8	66.7	45.8	38.7	38.5	32.4	31.6	33.3	33.3	34.5	45.2	52.4	59.5	50.0	52.4	50.0	$21,068	$20,876	$192
Cottage Hill Elementary	Public	K-5	22600 Kingston Ln.	Grass Valley	95949	Nevada County	Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 268-2808	485	21	23.0	34.8%	332 (68.5%)	1 (0.2%)	84 (17.3%)	1 (0.2%)	5 (1.0%)	2 (0.4%)	60 (12.4%)	48.7	2660^th of 5857 public elementary schools	54.6%		57.9	2152^nd of 5869 public elementary schools	63.3%	508	32.5		32.5	32.5	48.0	47.0				42.5	42.9	52.7	30.1				41.5							$19,440	$18,772	$668
Clear Creek Elementary	Public	K-8	17700 McCourtney Rd.	Grass Valley	95949	Nevada County	Clear Creek Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 273-3664	173	10	17.3	45.1%	113 (65.3%)	1 (0.6%)	24 (13.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (19.1%)	75.9	1335^th of 5857 public elementary schools	77.2%		59.7	2079^th of 5869 public elementary schools	64.6%	744	66.7	52.4	58.3	50.0	40.0	80.0	64.3	73.3	52.4	59.2	55.6	53.3	66.7	50.0	46.7	57.1	55.1							$25,579	$24,612	$967
Union Hill Elementary	Public, Charter	K-6	11638 Colfax Hwy.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Union Hill Elementary	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 273-8456	542	27	20.2	45.8%	429 (79.2%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (9.0%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	60 (11.1%)	45.3	2866^th of 5857 public elementary schools	51.1%		54.2	2332^nd of 5869 public elementary schools	60.3%	534	24.1		24.1	46.6	52.1	33.8	39.7			42.8	52.1	45.2	20.0	34.6			37.5	96.2	97.2		97.2		98.1	$26,410	$25,880	$530
Grass Valley Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	225 South Auburn St.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Grass Valley Elementary	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 273-8723	546	23	23.7	33.2%	451 (82.6%)	5 (0.9%)	50 (9.2%)	9 (1.6%)	5 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	25 (4.6%)	52.8	2445^th of 5857 public elementary schools	58.3%		60.9	2034^th of 5869 public elementary schools	65.3%	411	36.1	40.4	38.1	60.7	33.9	40.3	45.1	66.7	55.8	50.2	64.3	32.7	33.9	39.2	43.4	40.4	42.3	91.4	96.6	94.8	96.6	94.8	94.8	$9,267	$5,006	$4,261
Bell Hill Academy	Public	K-4	342 South School St.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Grass Valley Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 273-2281	246	11	22.3	59.3%	114 (46.3%)	3 (1.2%)	117 (47.6%)	3 (1.2%)	5 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.6%)	75	1370^th of 5857 public elementary schools	76.6%		66.4	1757^th of 5869 public elementary schools	70.1%	387				51.1	61.7					56.4	60.4	58.3					59.4	94.1				94.1		$11,697	$1,834	$9,863

Frequently Asked Questions about Alta Sierra Elementary

What schools do graduates of Alta Sierra Elementary attend?

Students who attend Alta Sierra Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Magnolia Intermediate
High : Bear River High

What district is Alta Sierra Elementary in?

Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary

How many students attend Alta Sierra Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 338 students attended Alta Sierra Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Alta Sierra Elementary?

Students at Alta Sierra Elementary are 70% White, 17% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races.

Is Alta Sierra Elementary a good school?

Alta Sierra Elementary ranks 1708^th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Alta Sierra Elementary!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

CACalifornia Elementary School Rankings

CACalifornia District Rankings

Schools in Grass Valley, CA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Alta Sierra Elementary!

Latest California data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataMar 13, 2026

2024–25 CSA Spanish test scoresDec 22, 2025

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 14, 2025

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.