Ceres Unified, CA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Ceres Unified

Ceres Unified serves kindergarten through twelfth grade across a network of roughly two dozen schools in Stanislaus County, an agricultural and industrial region in California's Central Valley. The district enrolls a student body that is predominantly Hispanic, with smaller populations of Asian, white, Black, and other students. Housing in the district's core city and nearby communities is moderately priced, running somewhat below state averages, with rental markets in the low to mid-range for the state. A family considering a move here would weigh recent tax implications: voters approved a school bond measure in November 2024 that will levy an ongoing annual property tax assessment to fund multi-year repairs and upgrades to school buildings, security systems, roofs, HVAC and plumbing, deteriorating portable classrooms, and learning technology.

The district's academic performance is weak across the board. State testing data from 2024-25 shows proficiency rates that are consistently low in English language arts, mathematics, and science. In ELA, performance ranges from the low-to-mid range in elementary grades and climbs modestly in middle school, but remains below proficiency for the majority of students. Mathematics proficiency is particularly soft, falling from the mid-range in third grade to very low levels by eighth grade. Science proficiency, measured in grades five and eight, sits in the low range at both levels. Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places Ceres below the midpoint among Stanislaus County districts. The district data do not include a graduation rate or free-and-reduced-price lunch participation rates, so those dimensions are not available for this account.

Within its peer set of county districts, Ceres has a chronic absenteeism rate that sits below the median, a positive sign for school engagement. Per-pupil spending is in the upper range among county districts, meaning the district is investing more per student than most of its neighbors, though that spending has not yet translated to higher academic outcomes. A parent may want to look into further with the district what instructional initiatives are underway to move proficiency rates upward, and what timeline is expected for improvement.

The district operates a Dual Language Pathway, with Lucas Elementary functioning as one of two dual language academies in the system. An annual district-wide Language Leaders celebration recognizes bilingual achievement. For families seeking biliteracy in English and Spanish, this represents a structured, sustained program choice within the district.

The school portfolio includes traditional elementary, middle, and high schools, a continuation high school for students needing an alternative path, an alternative school, two charter schools operating under the Whitmore brand focused on art and technology, and a special education school. Families will find options beyond a single traditional pathway, though the breadth and depth of career, advanced placement, or dual-credit offerings are not detailed in available data.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

13,868

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 81%

Black 1%

White 10%

Asian 6%

Two+ 1%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

37%

—

Gr 3

30%

43%

Gr 4

28%

43%

Gr 5

32%

50%

Gr 6

34%

59%

Gr 7

41%

53%

Gr 8

40%

56%

Gr 11

53%

—

Math

Gr ALL

21%

—

Gr 3

34%

52%

Gr 4

26%

38%

Gr 5

17%

34%

Gr 6

20%

45%

Gr 7

20%

31%

Gr 8

15%

32%

Gr 11

17%

—

Science

Gr ALL

23%

—

Gr 5

15%

27%

Gr 8

19%

39%

Gr 11

31%

—

Gr 12

17%

—

Gr HS

21%

—

Gr UG_SEC

30%

—

Schools in this District

24 schools are officially reported under this district.

Argus High (Continuation)

Carroll Fowler Elementary

Caswell Elementary

Ceres High

Don Pedro Elementary

Mae Hensley Junior High

Walter White Elementary

Westport Elementary

Samuel Vaughn Elementary

Blaker-Kinser Junior High

Endeavor Alternative

Virginia Parks Elementary

Whitmore Charter School of Art & Technology

Whitmore Charter High

Central Valley High

Joel J. Hidahl Elementary

M. Robert Adkison Elementary

Sinclear Elementary

La Rosa Elementary

Caswell State Preschool

Cesar Chavez Junior High

Lucas Elementary

Patricia Kay Beaver Elementary

Ceres Special Education

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

37%

Grade 3

28%

Grade 4

20%

Grade 5

23%

Grade 6

21%

Grade 7

18%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

32%

Grade 3

31%

Grade 4

35%

Grade 5

37%

Grade 6

42%

Grade 7

42%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

17%

Grade 5

22%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

51%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$442,268

Year-over-year change-0.1%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$381K to $554K

vs. state typical0.57x

vs. national typical1.20x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
95358	Modesto	$435K	-0.2%	61.7%
95307	Ceres	$455K	-0.0%	34.3%
95351	Modesto	$381K	-0.1%	2.8%
95326	Hughson	$554K	+0.7%	1.2%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$2,018/mo

Range across 2 ZIP codes$1,703 to $2,044/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
95307	Ceres	$2,044	—	34.3%
95351	Modesto	$1,703	—	2.8%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$2,232/mo

Home price / national median income5.3x

Annual rent / national median income28.9%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$213/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$776,233 (-1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.