The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in English language arts. The lowest is 29% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Plumas Avenue Elementary
Plumas Avenue Elementary is a public elementary school in Oroville serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Thermalito Union Elementary School District, which in November 2024 gained voter approval for a substantial facilities bond that will modernize classrooms, restrooms, roofs, and HVAC systems across its schools and add classroom capacity. The district also opened a new Expanded Learning Center in South Oroville in 2025 with additional classrooms, courts, and an amphitheater, housing after-school and tutoring programs. These are direct investments that will shape the school environment going forward.
The school has an enrollment of about mid-sized proportions for its grade band. A very substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of the families the school serves. The student body is diverse, with white students forming the largest group, followed by sizable populations of Asian students and Hispanic students, with smaller numbers of Black students and students of other backgrounds.
On state assessment results, the school's performance shows a mixed picture across grades and subjects. In fourth grade, the school reached proficiency in both English language arts and mathematics, with about half its students meeting standards in each subject. Third and fifth grades show lower results: in third-grade math, proficiency is markedly low; in fifth-grade math it is also low; in fifth-grade English language arts, proficiency sits below half. Third-grade English language arts proficiency, while above third-grade math, remains in the low-to-moderate range. Science proficiency in fifth grade, the only science data available, is also below half. Across tested grades and subjects, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among districts in Butte County, a positive indicator, though the underlying variation across grades and the low absolute performance in some areas suggests the school may want to look closely at what is working in fourth grade and what barriers exist in other grades.
The data provided does not include information on English learner enrollment or special education enrollment, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the range of support services available for students with these needs. Attendance and discipline data were also not available.
Oroville itself is a mid-sized county seat in the Sacramento Valley at the base of the Sierra foothills, anchored by a historic Gold Rush-era downtown along the Feather River and known as a gateway to Lake Oroville. The economy is rooted in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. The downtown has been revitalizing as a walkable center for small business and community events, while much of the rest of the city is auto-oriented, served by highways 70 and 99. Riverfront parks and the Feather River Bike Trail are key community assets. After the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed much of nearby Paradise, Oroville's population grew as displaced residents moved there, though growth has since stabilized. The housing stock is older, with new residential and affordable-housing projects underway.
Housing in the Oroville area is moderately priced relative to California and the nation. The median home value is modest by state standards. Monthly rent is correspondingly moderate, and the affordability gap between renting and mortgage payments, while present, is not extreme. A family considering this area should expect housing costs that are below the state median but still represent a substantial share of income.
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