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Paradise Unified

Below Average2024–25 data5 schools · avg 34.3/100

Paradise Unified has 5 ranked schools across elementary and high levels with an average Scope Score of 34.3/100 — 9.5 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Paradise Senior High at 58/100, where 13.6% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $19,718 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 31.0%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
34.3
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
35.3
23.0 – 58.3
Avg Exceeded %
10.1%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
31.0%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
5
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryNeeds Support
27.8/100
310.4%24.5%
HighDeveloping
44.0/100
29.6%40.9%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
27.8
avg score · 3 schools
Cedarwood Elementary
Needs Support
24/100
Pine Ridge
Needs Support
23/100
High
44.0
avg score · 2 schools

District Analysis

Strongest level: Paradise Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 44.0.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -17.0pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 35.3 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 31.0%, 12.9pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 6.5%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Paradise Senior High leads the district at 58 with 13.6% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

Student demographics

Hispanic
16.3%
White
72.5%
Asian
0.7%
Black
0.5%
Other
9.9%
Free/Reduced Lunch
68%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Paradise Unified spends $19,718 per student in current expenditures — $4,903 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$19,718
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
1,533
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 108.7%
$9,446 → $19,718
Spending Efficiency
1.74
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 62%Support 34%Other 4%
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
$57,726–$118,325
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
112
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (3)

Paradise Unified has 3 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 27.8 — 16.0 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -17.0pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Paradise Ridge Elementary with a Scope Score of 37 and 20.8% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Paradise Ridge Elementary
Paradise Unified Building Momentum
20.8%Developing
37/100
2Cedarwood Elementary
Paradise Unified Building Momentum
6.6%Needs Support
24/100
3Pine Ridge
Paradise Unified Building Momentum
3.9%Needs Support
23/100

High Schools (2)

Paradise Unified has 2 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 44.0 — 3.5 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Paradise Senior High with a Scope Score of 58 and 13.6% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Paradise Senior High
Paradise Unified Building Momentum
13.6%Solid
58/100
2Ridgeview High (Continuation)
Paradise Unified Building Momentum
5.6%Needs Support
30/100

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 Paradise 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 Paradise Unified a good school district?
Paradise Unified has 5 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 34.3/100, which is 9.5 points below the California state average of 43.8. 10.1% 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 Paradise Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Paradise Unified is Paradise Senior High with a Scope Score of 58/100 and 13.6% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Paradise Unified spend per student?
Paradise Unified spends $19,718 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 Paradise Unified?
Teacher salaries in Paradise Unified range from $57,726–$118,325 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.