Top Rankings
Atwater Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 4,959 students in Atwater Elementary School District. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in Atwater Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
11 Schools
10,369 Schools
# Students
4,959 Students
5,826,838 Students
# Teachers
211 Teachers
268,018 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
24:1
24:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Atwater Elementary School District, which is ranked #859 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
Overall District Rank
#862 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
29%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.36
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
4%
12%
% Hispanic
79%
56%
% Black
2%
5%
% White
13%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,114 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,871 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$80 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$69 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,114
$19,974
Spending / Student
$13,871
$18,396
Best Atwater Elementary School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Peggy Heller Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
201 Lake View Dr.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6517
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6517
Grades: K-8
| 707 students
Rank: #22.
Elmer Wood Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1271 West Bellevue Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6143
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6143
Grades: K-6
| 507 students
Rank: #33.
Thomas Olaeta Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2266 High St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6148
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6148
Grades: K-6
| 387 students
Rank: #44.
Shaffer Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1434 California St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6145
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6145
Grades: K-6
| 422 students
Rank: #55.
Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1761 Grove Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6112
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6112
Grades: K-6
| 550 students
Rank: #66.
Bellevue Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1020 East Bellevue Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Grades: K-6
| 621 students
Rank: #77.
Aileen Colburn Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2201 Heller St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6136
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6136
Grades: K-6
| 383 students
Rank: #88.
Mitchell Intermediate
(Math: 20% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1753 Fifth St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6124
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6124
Grades: 7-8
| 757 students
Rank: #99.
Bellevue Senior Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1020 East Bellevue Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Grades: 7-8
| 197 students
Rank: #1010.
Atwater Senior Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Juniper Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6515
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6515
Grades: 6-8
| 8 students
Rank: n/an/a
661 East Juniper Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-9930
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-9930
Grades: K-6
| 420 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Atwater Elementary School District?
Atwater Elementary School District manages 11 public schools serving 4,959 students.
What is the rank of Atwater Elementary School District?
Atwater Elementary School District is ranked #859 out of 1,925 school districts in California (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Atwater Elementary School District?
79% of Atwater Elementary School District students are Hispanic, 13% of students are White, 4% of students are Asian, 2% of students are Black, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Atwater Elementary School District?
Atwater Elementary School District has a student/teacher ratio of 24:1, which is higher than the California state average of 22:1.
What is Atwater Elementary School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,871 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles

Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.

2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.

Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.