Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 93656

In the rural zip code 93656 of Riverdale, California, there are two elementary schools—Fipps Primary (K-3) and Burrel Elementary (K-8)—serving a combined 488 students, the vast majority of whom qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Comparing the two, Fipps Primary is the larger school and shows somewhat stronger academic results, with higher English Language Arts proficiency and a better statewide ranking than Burrel. It operates within the Riverdale Joint Unified district, which is ranked higher than Burrel's Burrel Union Elementary district. In contrast, Burrel Elementary is a much smaller K-8 school that spends significantly more per student and has a much lower student-to-teacher ratio, yet its academic performance has been more volatile and generally lower, particularly in science.

Both schools share important strengths and challenges. A positive finding is that chronic absenteeism is well below the state average at both, indicating good student engagement. However, academic proficiency in core subjects at both schools lags behind California state averages. Parents should note that Burrel Elementary has experienced dramatic swings in its statewide ranking in recent years, while Fipps Primary has been more consistent. The data suggests that while resources differ, both institutions are working to support high-need student populations in this community.