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Sierra Unified

Below Average2024–25 data4 schools · avg 38.2/100

Sierra Unified has 4 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 38.2/100 — 5.6 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Sierra High at 59/100, where 25.7% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $16,345 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 37.6%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
38.2
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
33.5
25.7 – 59.2
Avg Exceeded %
17.3%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
37.6%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryNeeds Support
28.1/100
115.2%32.0%
MiddleNeeds Support
25.7/100
110.2%31.1%
HighDeveloping
49.5/100
222.0%43.6%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
28.1
avg score · 1 school
Foothill Elementary
Needs Support
28/100
Middle
25.7
avg score · 1 school
Sierra Junior High
Needs Support
26/100
High
49.5
avg score · 2 schools
Sierra High
Solid
59/100
Sierra Alternative High
Developing
40/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Sierra Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 49.5.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -7.5pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 33.5 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 37.6%, 19.5pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 8.9%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Sierra High leads the district at 59 with 25.7% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

Student demographics

Hispanic
21.4%
White
53.9%
Asian
0.6%
Black
0.3%
Other
23.7%
Free/Reduced Lunch
52%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Sierra Unified spends $16,345 per student in current expenditures — $1,530 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$16,345
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
1,204
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 27.2%
$12,847 → $16,345
Spending Efficiency
2.34
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 57%Support 40%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
$50,602–$101,082
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
76
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (1)

Sierra Unified has 1 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 28.1 — 15.7 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -7.5pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Foothill Elementary with a Scope Score of 28 and 15.2% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Foothill Elementary
Sierra Unified Building Momentum
15.2%Needs Support
28/100

Middle Schools (1)

Sierra Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 25.7 — 14.7 points below the state average of 40.5.

The highest-scoring middle school is Sierra Junior High with a Scope Score of 26 and 10.2% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Sierra Junior High
Sierra Unified Building Momentum
10.2%Needs Support
26/100

High Schools (2)

Sierra Unified has 2 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 49.5 — 2.0 points above the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Sierra High with a Scope Score of 59 and 25.7% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Sierra High
Sierra Unified Building Momentum
25.7%Solid
59/100
2Sierra Alternative High
Sierra Unified Building Momentum
18.2%Developing
40/100

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 Sierra 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 Sierra Unified a good school district?
Sierra Unified has 4 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 38.2/100, which is 5.6 points below the California state average of 43.8. 17.3% 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 Sierra Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Sierra Unified is Sierra High with a Scope Score of 59/100 and 25.7% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Sierra Unified spend per student?
Sierra Unified spends $16,345 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 Sierra Unified?
Teacher salaries in Sierra Unified range from $50,602–$101,082 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.