Summary
Coleman F. Brown Elementary is a K–5 school with 378 students in Modesto, serving families in the Sylvan Union Elementary School District. In 2025–26, 22% of students were proficient in English language arts (ELA), 19% in math, and 16% in science—below both district and state results in all three subjects. Most importantly, Coleman had the lowest overall ELA result among 10 nearby schools.
ELA is Coleman’s clearest relative weakness, while math is its strongest result compared with the state: its rates were 27 points below the state in ELA, 19 in math, and 20 in science. The school was also below the district by 20, 16, and 13 points, respectively. Among nearby schools, Coleman ranked third-lowest in math and second-lowest in science. The closer grade-span comparison is also challenging: nearby same-district K–5 schools averaged 33% in ELA, 29% in math, and 23% in science, compared with Coleman’s 22%, 19%, and 16%. Fifth-grade math stands out as a particular concern at 7%, versus 24% in third grade and 28% in fourth; fourth-grade ELA is a relative bright spot at 29%, though still below the state’s 46%.
Scores have improved since 2022–23—up 5 points in ELA, 4 in math, and 8 in science—but all three were higher in 2024–25 than in 2025–26. SchoolDigger gives Coleman an 11th-percentile statewide ranking and 1 star, compared with the district’s 37th percentile and 2 stars. Its student-teacher ratio is 21.6, close to the nearby average of 21.3. Coleman reported 84% free/reduced lunch eligible in 2024–25; California is marked as a statewide-free-meals state, so this is the school’s reported measure, not an indication of whether students can receive free meals. SchoolDigger’s measure of how well Coleman serves Hispanic students is stronger than its overall standing: the group ranks at the 31st percentile, versus the school’s 11th percentile overall. Chronic absenteeism has also fallen from 44% in 2021–22 to 20% in 2025–26, though that remains above the district’s 15%.
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