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Elementary Schools in Modesto, California: 54 schools. Average score 7.6 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data54 schools · avg 31.2/100

Modesto, California has 54 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 31.2/100 — 7.6 points below the state average of 38.8. The highest-scoring school is Paradise Charter at 72/100, where 51.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Modesto schools average 13.1% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 54 schools, 1 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 15.9% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
31.2
State avg: 38.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
60.5
11.6 – 72.1
Avg Exceeded %
13.1%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
15.9%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
54
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary54Developing
31.2/100
13.1%-7.6
High9Developing
43.2/100
11.6%-3.3
Middle4Developing
33.2/100
14.2%-4.8

How Modesto schools compare

Modesto has 54 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 31.2/100 — 7.6 points below the state average of 38.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Paradise Charter with a Scope Score of 72 and 51.6% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Modesto averages 15.9% — below the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

Hidden Gem

Despite a 63% free-or-reduced-lunch rate, Paradise Charter posts a Scope Score of 72 — 95th percentile statewide.

School archetypes in Modesto

19 On the Rise7 Culture First1 High Ceiling29 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 19 schools in Modesto are classified as On the Rise (19) \u2014 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

For the data nerds

Every school in Modesto

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Paradise Charter
Paradise Elementary High Ceiling
51.6%Strong
72/100
2James C. Enochs High
Modesto City High Building Momentum
22.8%Solid
62/100
3Fred C. Beyer High
Modesto City High Building Momentum
21.7%Solid
56/100
4Joseph A. Gregori High
Modesto City High Building Momentum
13.4%Solid
55/100
5Lakewood Elementary
Modesto City Elementary Building Momentum
35.4%Solid
51/100
6Elizabeth Ustach Middle
Sylvan Union Elementary Growth Engine
22.3%Developing
50/100
7Enslen Elementary
Modesto City Elementary On the Rise
27.4%Developing
48/100
8Thomas Downey High
Modesto City High Building Momentum
14.4%Developing
47/100
9Peter Johansen High
Modesto City High Building Momentum
9.5%Developing
46/100
10Stanislaus Elementary
Stanislaus Union Elementary Culture First
25.5%Developing
45/100
11Grace M. Davis High
Modesto City High Building Momentum
8.4%Developing
45/100
12Mary Ann Sanders Elementary
Sylvan Union Elementary Culture First
22.0%Developing
43/100
13Modesto High
Modesto City High Building Momentum
14.1%Developing
42/100
14Fairview Elementary
Modesto City Elementary On the Rise
10.2%Developing
42/100
15Mary Lou Dieterich Elementary
Stanislaus Union Elementary On the Rise
15.0%Developing
41/100
16Sonoma Elementary
Modesto City Elementary Building Momentum
23.3%Developing
40/100
17Hart-Ransom Elementary
Hart-Ransom Union Elementary On the Rise
20.5%Developing
40/100
18Aspire University Charter
Modesto City Elementary On the Rise
15.0%Developing
40/100
19Elihu Beard Elementary
Modesto City Elementary On the Rise
12.8%Developing
38/100
20Agnes M. Baptist Elementary
Stanislaus Union Elementary Building Momentum
24.5%Developing
38/100
21Alberta Martone Elementary
Modesto City Elementary On the Rise
16.4%Developing
37/100
22Hart-Ransom Academic Charter
Hart-Ransom Union Elementary Culture First
8.9%Developing
36/100
23Freedom Elementary
Sylvan Union Elementary Building Momentum
17.8%Developing
36/100
24Bernard L. Hughes Elementary
Empire Union Elementary On the Rise
11.8%Developing
34/100
25Connecting Waters Charter School - Central Valley
Modesto City Elementary On the Rise
9.0%Developing
34/100
26M. Robert Adkison Elementary
Ceres Unified Culture First
12.4%Developing
34/100
27Standiford Elementary
Sylvan Union Elementary Building Momentum
26.3%Developing
34/100
28Daniel J. Savage Middle
Sylvan Union Elementary Building Momentum
17.6%Developing
34/100
29El Vista Elementary
Modesto City Elementary On the Rise
10.6%Developing
34/100
30Catherine Everett Elementary
Modesto City Elementary On the Rise
8.3%Developing
32/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 67 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools · Download this data (CSV)

Free to download, CC BY 4.0 with attribution.

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.

Private Schools in Modesto

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Central Catholic High School
Roman Catholic · Grades 9-12 · 379 students
17:1Private
Modesto Christian School
Christian (no specific denomination) · Grades Pre-K-12 · 247 students
10:1Private
St. Stanislaus Catholic School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 208 students
13:1Private
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 144 students
13:1Private
Sierra Vista Kirk Baucher School
Nonsectarian · Grades 1-8 · 67 students
11:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Modesto

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Modesto good?
Modesto's 54 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 31.2/100, which is 7.6 points below the state average. 13.1% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (42%), met or exceeded (proficient) (23%), grade 3-to-5 growth (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Modesto?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Modesto is Paradise Charter with a Scope Score of 72/100 and 51.6% 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 Modesto schools compare to the state average?
Modesto elementary schools average a Scope Score of 31.2/100 — 7.6 points below the state average of 38.8. The exceeded rate averages 13.1% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 15.9% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Modesto?
Modesto has 54 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 seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline 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.

Related

All California SchoolsTop Schools in ModestoParadise ElementaryModesto City HighModesto City ElementarySylvan Union ElementaryStanislaus Union ElementaryHart-Ransom Union ElementaryEmpire Union ElementaryCeres UnifiedSalida Union ElementaryShiloh ElementaryStanislaus County Office of EducationZip 95358Zip 95355Zip 95356Zip 95354Zip 95357Zip 95350Zip 95351
Guides:10 California Schools That Outperform Their Zip Code

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