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Elementary Schools in Atwater, California

Near Average2024–25 data10 schools · avg 42.2/100

Atwater, California has 10 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 42.2/100 — 1.5 points near the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Buhach Colony High at 52/100, where 12.7% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Atwater schools average 15.1% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 12.0% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
42.2
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
24.5
27.9 – 52.3
Avg Exceeded %
15.1%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
12.0%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
10
With Scope Scores

How Atwater schools compare

Atwater's 10 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 42.2 — 1.5 points near the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 27.9 to 52.3, a 24.5-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Buhach Colony High with a Scope Score of 52 and 12.7% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Atwater averages 12.0%, which is above the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in Atwater

5 Culture First5 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Schools in Atwater ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Buhach Colony High
Merced Union High Building Momentum
12.7%Solid
52/100
2Juniper Elementary
Atwater Elementary Culture First
18.6%Solid
51/100
3Thomas Olaeta Elementary
Atwater Elementary Culture First
23.7%Solid
51/100
4Atwater High
Merced Union High Building Momentum
9.8%Developing
49/100
5Mitchell Elementary
Atwater Elementary Culture First
15.3%Developing
43/100
6Elmer Wood Elementary
Atwater Elementary Culture First
18.5%Developing
43/100
7Bellevue Elementary
Atwater Elementary Culture First
15.2%Developing
37/100
8Aileen Colburn Elementary
Atwater Elementary Building Momentum
14.0%Developing
36/100
9Shaffer Elementary
Atwater Elementary Building Momentum
12.5%Developing
31/100
10Peggy Heller Elementary
Atwater Elementary Building Momentum
10.7%Needs Support
28/100

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.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Atwater

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Atwater good?
Atwater's 10 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 42.2/100, which is 1.5 points near the California state average of 43.8. 15.1% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Atwater?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Atwater is Buhach Colony High with a Scope Score of 52/100 and 12.7% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Atwater schools compare to the state average?
Atwater elementary schools average a Scope Score of 42.2 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (1.5 points near). The exceeded rate averages 15.1% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 12.0% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 27.9 to 52.3, a 24.5-point spread.
How many schools are in Atwater?
Atwater has 10 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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