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Elementary Schools in South Lake Tahoe, California: South Lake Tahoe schools average near the state. The 29.1-point spread is where the choice actually lives.

Near Average2024–25 data4 schools · avg 45.5/100

South Lake Tahoe, California has 4 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 45.5/100 — within 0.7 points of the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet at 57/100, where 36.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. South Lake Tahoe schools average 21.0% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 19.5% (near the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
45.5
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
29.1
27.9 – 57.0
Avg Exceeded %
21.0%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
19.5%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary4Developing
45.5/100
21.0%+0.7
High3Needs Support
28.2/100
5.4%-15.5
Middle1Developing
33.9/100
14.7%-8.8

How South Lake Tahoe schools compare

South Lake Tahoe has 4 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 45.5/100 — within 0.7 points of the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet with a Scope Score of 57 and 36.6% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in South Lake Tahoe averages 19.5% — near 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 South Lake Tahoe

1 Solid Base1 Culture First3 Building Momentum

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

For the data nerds

Every school in South Lake Tahoe

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet
Lake Tahoe Unified Solid Base
36.6%Solid
57/100
2Bijou Community
Lake Tahoe Unified Culture First
13.6%Developing
47/100
3Sierra House Elementary
Lake Tahoe Unified Building Momentum
21.7%Developing
41/100
4South Tahoe High
Lake Tahoe Unified Building Momentum
12.7%Developing
41/100
5Tahoe Valley Elementary
Lake Tahoe Unified Building Momentum
12.1%Developing
36/100
6South Tahoe Middle
Lake Tahoe Unified Building Momentum
14.7%Developing
34/100
7Elevated Digital Learning Academy
Lake Tahoe Unified Building Momentum
3.6%Needs Support
28/100
8Mt. Tallac High
Lake Tahoe Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
16/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 8 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

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 South Lake Tahoe

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 South Lake Tahoe good?
South Lake Tahoe's 4 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 45.5/100, which is within 0.7 points of the state average. 21.0% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (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 South Lake Tahoe?
The highest-scoring elementary school in South Lake Tahoe is Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet with a Scope Score of 57/100 and 36.6% 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 South Lake Tahoe schools compare to the state average?
South Lake Tahoe elementary schools average a Scope Score of 45.5/100 — within 0.7 points of the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 21.0% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 19.5% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in South Lake Tahoe?
South Lake Tahoe has 4 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.

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