Elementary Schools in Atwater, California: 8 schools. Average score 5.8 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.
Atwater, California has 8 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 39.1/100 — 5.8 points below the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Juniper Elementary at 57/100, where 18.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Atwater schools average 16.1% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 9.5% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Schools | Avg Score | Exceeded | vs State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 8 | Developing 39.1/100 | 16.1% | -5.8 |
| High | 2 | Developing 45.4/100 | 11.2% | +1.7 |
| Middle | 1 | Needs Support 17.5/100 | 0.0% | -25.2 |
How Atwater schools compare
Atwater has 8 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 39.1/100 — 5.8 points below the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
The top-ranked school is Juniper Elementary with a Scope Score of 57 and 18.6% of students exceeding standard.
Chronic absenteeism in Atwater averages 9.5% — below the state average of 17.9%.
How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%
School archetypes in Atwater
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Every school in Atwater
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Juniper Elementary Atwater Elementary Culture First | 18.6% | Solid 57/100 |
| 2 | Thomas Olaeta Elementary Atwater Elementary Culture First | 23.7% | Solid 54/100 |
| 3 | Buhach Colony High Merced Union High Building Momentum | 12.7% | Developing 47/100 |
| 4 | Atwater High Merced Union High Building Momentum | 9.8% | Developing 44/100 |
| 5 | Mitchell Elementary Atwater Elementary Culture First | 15.3% | Developing 43/100 |
| 6 | Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater Elementary Culture First | 18.5% | Developing 42/100 |
| 7 | Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater Elementary Building Momentum | 14.0% | Developing 36/100 |
| 8 | Bellevue Elementary Atwater Elementary Culture First | 15.2% | Developing 35/100 |
| 9 | Shaffer Elementary Atwater Elementary Building Momentum | 12.5% | Needs Support 25/100 |
| 10 | Peggy Heller Elementary Atwater Elementary Building Momentum | 10.7% | Needs Support 21/100 |
| 11 | Valley Atwater Community Merced County Office of Education Building Momentum | 0.0% | Needs Support 17/100 |
Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology
Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.
Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology