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Natomas Unified

Below Average2024–25 data18 schools · avg 37.2/100

Natomas Unified has 18 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 37.2/100 — 6.6 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary at 66/100, where 38.9% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $12,925 per student (below the state average of $14,815). 1 school shows positive growth trajectories. Chronic absenteeism averages 21.9%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
37.2
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
53.5
13.0 – 66.5
Avg Exceeded %
14.7%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
21.9%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
18
With Scope Scores
Charter Schools
4
of 18 ranked schools
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
Elementary33.91214.6%20.4%
Middle39.1216.2%16.7%
High46.0414.0%29.2%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Natomas Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
33.9
avg score · 12 schools
Middle
39.1
avg score · 2 schools
High
46.0
avg score · 4 schools

District Analysis

Strongest level: Natomas Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 46.0.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages +0.6pp (state avg: -3.0pp), suggesting schools are making incremental gains.

Consistency: Score range of 53.5 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 21.9%, 3.8pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 5.9%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary leads the district at 66 with 38.9% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Natomas Unified

3 On the Rise1 Strong All-Around1 Growth Engine13 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 4 schools in Natomas Unified are classified as On the Rise (3) or Growth Engine — 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

Student demographics

Hispanic
33.5%
White
11.8%
Asian
18.5%
Black
20.1%
Other
16.0%
Free/Reduced Lunch
64%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Natomas Unified spends $12,925 per student in current expenditures — $1,890 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$12,925
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
13,748
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 28.1%
$10,087 → $12,925
Spending Efficiency
2.88
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 64%Support 33%Other 3%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$56,265–$121,338
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
572
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (12)

Natomas Unified has 12 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 33.9 — 9.9 points below the state average of 43.8.

District-wide growth averages +0.6pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary with a Scope Score of 66 and 38.9% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+GrowthAbsentSusp.
1Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
6638.9%70.4%-5.6pp3.7%0.1%
2Heron
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
5028.0%54.9%-4.0pp12.4%6.1%
3Westlake Charter
Natomas Unified Growth Engine
4419.0%41.9%+11.2pp15.9%2.8%
4Two Rivers Elementary
Natomas Unified On the Rise
4419.1%43.8%+10.8pp17.4%2.9%
5Jefferson
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
3510.8%30.7%-1.0pp19.3%5.5%
6Natomas Park Elementary
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
3311.9%30.3%-3.7pp28.3%5.4%
7Witter Ranch Elementary
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
3213.6%33.0%+0.4pp23.3%5.3%
8Paso Verde
Natomas Unified On the Rise
3113.7%33.9%+13.2pp16.7%9.7%
9Larry G. Meeks Academy
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
2511.0%27.6%-9.9pp15.1%0.3%
10H. Allen Hight Elementary
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
217.1%22.5%-3.4pp32.9%4.5%
11Bannon Creek
Natomas Unified On the Rise
130.3%5.7%+4.9pp32.0%16.2%
12American Lakes
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
131.9%7.1%-5.5pp27.3%7.5%

Middle Schools (2)

Natomas Unified has 2 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 39.1 — 1.3 points near the state average of 40.5.

Growth is essentially flat at -0.3pp.

The highest-scoring middle school is Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Middle with a Scope Score of 58 and 27.7% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+GrowthAbsentSusp.
1Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Middle
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
5827.7%58.5%-3.1pp3.4%1.8%
2Natomas Middle
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
214.7%17.5%+2.6pp30.0%17.1%

High Schools (4)

Natomas Unified has 4 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 46.0 — 1.5 points near the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep with a Scope Score of 66 and 32.4% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep
Natomas Unified Strong All-Around
6632.4%60.4%6.2%0.5%
2Inderkum High
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
5318.6%40.8%17.2%3.7%
3Natomas High
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
415.2%25.1%23.3%8.3%
4Discovery High
Natomas Unified Building Momentum
240.0%4.5%70.2%8.7%

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 Natomas Unified

  • 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 resources are distributed across schools within the district

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Natomas Unified a good school district?
Natomas Unified has 18 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 37.2/100, which is 6.6 points below the California state average of 43.8. 14.7% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Natomas Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Natomas Unified is Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary with a Scope Score of 66/100 and 38.9% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Natomas Unified spend per student?
Natomas Unified spends $12,925 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in Natomas Unified?
Teacher salaries in Natomas Unified range from $56,265–$121,338 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
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-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.