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Elementary Schools in Palmdale, California: 29 schools. Average score 10.4 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data29 schools · avg 28.4/100

Palmdale, California has 29 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 28.4/100 — 10.4 points below the state average of 38.8. The highest-scoring school is Gregg Anderson Academy at 52/100, where 37.5% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Palmdale schools average 11.2% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 29 schools, 1 Growth Engine stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 26.8% (above the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
28.4
State avg: 38.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
48.5
3.5 – 52.0
Avg Exceeded %
11.2%
State avg: 21.3%
Chronic Absenteeism
26.8%
State avg: 17.9%
Schools Ranked
29
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary29Needs Support
28.4/100
11.2%-10.4
High5Developing
39.7/100
6.6%-6.9
Middle8Needs Support
19.2/100
6.7%-18.8

How Palmdale schools compare

Palmdale has 29 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 28.4/100 — 10.4 points below the state average of 38.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Gregg Anderson Academy with a Scope Score of 52 and 37.5% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Palmdale averages 26.8% — above the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

School archetypes in Palmdale

12 On the Rise1 Solid Base1 Growth Engine18 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 13 schools in Palmdale are classified as On the Rise (12) or Growth Engine \u2014 showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

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

For the data nerds

Every school in Palmdale

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Hillview Middle
Westside Union Elementary Building Momentum
27.6%Solid
52/100
2Gregg Anderson Academy
Westside Union Elementary Solid Base
37.5%Solid
52/100
3Highland High
Antelope Valley Union High Building Momentum
8.8%Solid
50/100
4Cottonwood Elementary
Westside Union Elementary Building Momentum
29.4%Solid
50/100
5William J. (Pete) Knight High
Antelope Valley Union High Building Momentum
8.0%Developing
49/100
6Palmdale Academy Charter
Palmdale Elementary Building Momentum
9.9%Developing
49/100
7Barrel Springs Elementary
Palmdale Elementary Growth Engine
16.6%Developing
47/100
8Palmdale Learning Plaza
Palmdale Elementary On the Rise
18.5%Developing
43/100
9Los Amigos - Dual Immersion
Palmdale Elementary On the Rise
19.6%Developing
41/100
10Palmdale High
Antelope Valley Union High Building Momentum
5.3%Developing
40/100
11Anaverde Hills
Westside Union Elementary On the Rise
14.6%Developing
37/100
12Innovations Academy of Palmdale
Palmdale Elementary On the Rise
13.8%Developing
36/100
13Rancho Vista Elementary
Westside Union Elementary On the Rise
16.5%Developing
33/100
14Esperanza Elementary
Westside Union Elementary Building Momentum
14.3%Needs Support
29/100
15Palmdale Aerospace Academy
Palmdale Elementary On the Rise
6.6%Needs Support
28/100
16Antelope Valley Learning Academy
Palmdale Elementary Building Momentum
12.5%Needs Support
28/100
17Chaparral Prep Academy
Palmdale Elementary Building Momentum
10.3%Needs Support
27/100
18Dos Caminos Dual Immersion
Palmdale Elementary Building Momentum
9.7%Needs Support
27/100
19Tumbleweed Elementary
Palmdale Elementary On the Rise
6.1%Needs Support
26/100
20Buena Vista Elementary
Palmdale Elementary On the Rise
6.6%Needs Support
26/100
21Desert Rose Elementary
Palmdale Elementary On the Rise
7.1%Needs Support
25/100
22Cimarron Elementary
Palmdale Elementary Building Momentum
7.8%Needs Support
25/100
23Manzanita Elementary
Palmdale Elementary On the Rise
5.2%Needs Support
25/100
24Summerwind Elementary
Palmdale Elementary On the Rise
6.8%Needs Support
25/100
25Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Ac
Palmdale Elementary On the Rise
4.5%Needs Support
24/100
26Quail Valley Elementary
Palmdale Elementary Building Momentum
8.7%Needs Support
23/100
27Palm Tree Elementary
Palmdale Elementary Building Momentum
7.0%Needs Support
23/100
28Ocotillo Elementary
Palmdale Elementary Building Momentum
11.1%Needs Support
22/100
29Mesquite Elementary
Palmdale Elementary Building Momentum
7.6%Needs Support
21/100
30Joshua Hills Elementary
Palmdale Elementary Building Momentum
7.5%Needs Support
21/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 42 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools · Download this data (CSV)

Free to download, CC BY 4.0 with attribution.

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.

Private Schools in Palmdale

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Palmdale

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

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Palmdale good?
Palmdale's 29 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 28.4/100, which is 10.4 points below the state average. 11.2% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (42%), met or exceeded (proficient) (23%), grade 3-to-5 growth (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Palmdale?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Palmdale is Gregg Anderson Academy with a Scope Score of 52/100 and 37.5% 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 Palmdale schools compare to the state average?
Palmdale elementary schools average a Scope Score of 28.4/100 — 10.4 points below the state average of 38.8. The exceeded rate averages 11.2% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 26.8% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Palmdale?
Palmdale has 29 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 seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline 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.