The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in English language arts. The lowest is 20% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Meadow Lane Elementary
Meadow Lane Elementary sits on Balls Ferry Road in Anderson, a small city in Shasta County that functions as an affordable bedroom community roughly ten miles south of Redding along the Sacramento River. Anderson has the feel of a quiet, tight-knit railroad town where oak trees, the Sacramento River, and a compact city center define daily life. Anderson River Park anchors outdoor and civic activity, hosting free summer concerts at its amphitheater, while the Anderson Public Library runs programs for families year-round. The local economy leans on Sierra Pacific Industries, one of the country's largest lumber producers and headquartered right here in Anderson, alongside retail, manufacturing, and healthcare employment, with many residents commuting north to Redding.
The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public elementary within the Cascade Union Elementary School District. Enrollment is moderate for its grade band, with a sizeable kindergarten class and roughly consistent numbers through fifth grade. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which reflects the broader economic character of Anderson as a working-class community. The student body is majority white, with Hispanic students making up the next largest group, followed by students identifying as two or more races, and smaller numbers of American Indian, Asian, Black, and Pacific Islander students. Data on English learners and students with IEPs was not available in the records we reviewed.
On the most recent California state assessments, Meadow Lane's results are below the midpoint among districts in Shasta County in overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In English language arts, fourth and fifth graders performed closer to the mid-range, while third grade results were lower. Math proficiency rates were more consistently modest across all three tested grades, with fifth grade showing the weakest results. Science, tested at fifth grade, also came in below where many families would hope to see it. These numbers reflect a school that is serving a high-needs population in a community facing real economic headwinds, and parents who want to understand what supports are in place to move those numbers should ask the school directly. Trend data covers only the most recent year, so there is no multi-year trajectory available to judge whether performance is improving, holding, or declining.
On the program side, Cascade Union has districtwide commitments worth knowing about. The district has rolled out AVID, which emphasizes academic rigor and study skills; PBIS, a structured approach to behavior expectations; and Capturing Kids' Hearts, a relationship-building framework for school culture. Every student also receives a device to use for coursework. These are meaningful shifts in how classrooms operate day to day, and a family considering the school would want to ask teachers how these programs feel in practice.
Separately, voters approved a school bond in November 2024 that will fund facility improvements across the district. Publicly reported plans include a new administration and multi-purpose facility specifically at Meadow Lane, alongside roofing, HVAC, paving, and other upgrades at district sites. For families weighing a move to the area, this bond adds a lasting property tax cost but also signals that the physical condition of the school will improve over the coming years.
On housing, Anderson's market is notably more affordable than the California state median, and homes here sit close to the national median as well. Year-over-year values were essentially flat as of spring 2026. Rents are also moderate, and the rent-to-income ratio is manageable by current national standards. For families priced out of the Redding market, Anderson offers a practical entry point with a short commute north.
What the data cannot tell you is how Meadow Lane's classroom experience compares to neighboring schools in terms of instruction quality, extracurricular offerings, or family engagement. The civil rights section returned no data, and discipline and attendance figures were not available. Those are gaps worth filling by visiting the school and speaking with current families before making a decision.
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