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Sonoma Valley Unified

Below Average2024–25 data7 schools · avg 32.8/100

Sonoma Valley Unified has 7 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 32.8/100 — 11.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Sonoma Valley High at 57/100, where 11.6% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $18,599 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 23.8%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
32.8
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
36.9
20.2 – 57.1
Avg Exceeded %
7.2%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
23.8%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
7
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryDeveloping
31.3/100
49.0%18.9%
MiddleNeeds Support
26.9/100
12.8%16.2%
HighDeveloping
38.7/100
25.8%37.7%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
31.3
avg score · 4 schools
Prestwood Elementary
Developing
34/100
Flowery Elementary
Developing
32/100
Sassarini Elementary
Developing
31/100
+1 more elementary schools
Middle
26.9
avg score · 1 school
Altimira Middle
Needs Support
27/100
High
38.7
avg score · 2 schools
Creekside High
Needs Support
20/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Sonoma Valley Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 38.7.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -4.1pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 36.9 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 23.8%, 5.7pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 3.7%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Sonoma Valley High leads the district at 57 with 11.6% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Sonoma Valley Unified

1 On the Rise6 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 1 school in Sonoma Valley Unified is classified as On the Rise — 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
68.5%
White
27.3%
Asian
1.0%
Black
1.0%
Other
2.1%
Free/Reduced Lunch
57%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Sonoma Valley Unified spends $18,599 per student in current expenditures — $3,784 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$18,599
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
3,503
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 41.8%
$13,115 → $18,599
Spending Efficiency
1.76
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 58%Support 39%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
$62,020–$110,107
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
176
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (4)

Sonoma Valley Unified has 4 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 31.3 — 12.5 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -4.1pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Prestwood Elementary with a Scope Score of 34 and 13.1% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Prestwood Elementary
Sonoma Valley Unified Building Momentum
13.1%Developing
34/100
2Flowery Elementary
Sonoma Valley Unified Building Momentum
8.9%Developing
32/100
3Sassarini Elementary
Sonoma Valley Unified Building Momentum
7.6%Developing
31/100
4El Verano Elementary
Sonoma Valley Unified On the Rise
6.5%Needs Support
29/100

Middle Schools (1)

Sonoma Valley Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 26.9 — 13.6 points below the state average of 40.5.

Growth is essentially flat at -0.1pp.

The highest-scoring middle school is Altimira Middle with a Scope Score of 27 and 2.8% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Altimira Middle
Sonoma Valley Unified Building Momentum
2.8%Needs Support
27/100

High Schools (2)

Sonoma Valley Unified has 2 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 38.7 — 8.8 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Sonoma Valley High with a Scope Score of 57 and 11.6% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Sonoma Valley High
Sonoma Valley Unified Building Momentum
11.6%Solid
57/100
2Creekside High
Sonoma Valley Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
20/100

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 Sonoma Valley 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 Sonoma Valley Unified a good school district?
Sonoma Valley Unified has 7 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 32.8/100, which is 11.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. 7.2% 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 Sonoma Valley Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Sonoma Valley Unified is Sonoma Valley High with a Scope Score of 57/100 and 11.6% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Sonoma Valley Unified spend per student?
Sonoma Valley Unified spends $18,599 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 Sonoma Valley Unified?
Teacher salaries in Sonoma Valley Unified range from $62,020–$110,107 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.