Best Elementary Schools in Visalia, CA

The city of Visalia, California is home to 31 elementary schools serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade, with a mix of public and public charter schools. The schools in this area display a wide range of academic performance, with some standout institutions like Oak Grove Elementary, Shannon Ranch Elementary, and Denton Elementary ranking among the top elementary schools in the state. In contrast, other schools struggle with low test scores and high chronic absenteeism rates.

The diverse student populations at these Visalia elementary schools are predominantly Hispanic, with free and reduced-price lunch rates ranging from 31% to 92%, indicating varying levels of economic disadvantage. The top-performing schools have proficiency rates well above the Visalia Unified and California state averages on standardized assessments, while some lower-performing schools have proficiency rates below 20%. This stark contrast in academic achievement suggests a correlation between socioeconomic status and school performance, with the highest-poverty schools tending to have the weakest results.

One standout in the Visalia elementary school landscape is the Charter Home School Academy, a public charter school that has earned a 3-star rating and strong performance on state assessments, particularly in English Language Arts. This school may offer an alternative educational option for families seeking a different approach within the Visalia Unified district. Overall, the data reveals both high-achieving and underperforming elementary schools in Visalia, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support to address persistent achievement gaps.