ExploreMapCompareBlogSign in

Schools in 95821 — Sacramento, California

95821 has 9 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 32.3 — 11.5 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 12.8 to 51.3, a 38.5-point spread.

Avg Scope Score
32.3
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
38.5
12.8 – 51.3
Avg Exceeded %
12.1%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
24.4%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
9
With Scope Scores

How 95821 schools perform

The top-ranked school is James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary with a Scope Score of 51 and 26.2% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism across 95821 averages 24.4%, below the state average of 18.1%. This elevated rate may indicate systemic attendance challenges in the area.

How 95821 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 95821
95821Sacramento932.3
95820Sacramento835.4+3.2
95822Sacramento1129.5-2.8
95819Sacramento467.0+34.7
95823Sacramento1525.6-6.6
95818Sacramento745.0+12.7

School archetypes in 95821

1 Growth Engine8 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 1 school in 95821 is classified as 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

All schools in 95821

#SchoolScoreCountyExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary
San Juan Unified Growth Engine
51Sacramento26.2%49.0%16.6%4.1%
2El Camino Fundamental High
San Juan Unified Building Momentum
51Sacramento12.2%35.3%22.0%6.1%
3Mira Loma High
San Juan Unified Building Momentum
47Sacramento25.9%44.2%25.9%7.5%
4Del Paso Manor Elementary
San Juan Unified Building Momentum
39Sacramento25.5%38.9%20.3%2.7%
5Arcade Fundamental Middle
San Juan Unified Building Momentum
27Sacramento6.5%20.0%22.1%3.0%
6Pasadena Avenue Elementary
San Juan Unified Building Momentum
27Sacramento6.3%23.2%22.6%2.5%
7Dyer-Kelly Elementary
San Juan Unified Building Momentum
18Sacramento1.1%7.8%21.3%1.7%
8Whitney Avenue Elementary
San Juan Unified Building Momentum
18Sacramento4.1%12.8%35.0%3.8%
9Katherine Johnson Middle
San Juan Unified Building Momentum
13Sacramento0.8%6.8%33.7%9.8%

Schools in 95821 on the map

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 95821

  • 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 school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

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

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Sacramento good?
Sacramento's 9 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 32.3/100, which is 11.5 points below the California state average of 43.8. 12.1% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Sacramento?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Sacramento is James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary with a Scope Score of 51/100 and 26.2% 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 Sacramento schools compare to the state average?
Sacramento elementary schools average a Scope Score of 32.3 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (11.5 points below). The exceeded rate averages 12.1% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 24.4% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 12.8 to 51.3, a 38.5-point spread.
How many schools are in Sacramento?
Sacramento has 9 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 six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner 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.