The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Sheridan Elementary
Sheridan Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in a small rural setting in Placer County. The school has a very small enrollment of about fifty to sixty students distributed across its grade levels, making it an intimate learning environment where individual attention is feasible but where small class sizes may also constrain the breadth of peer groups and activities.
The student population is roughly evenly split between white and Hispanic families, with a small Asian presence. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting economic pressures in the school community. Data on special education and English learner populations was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the composition of students receiving these services.
Academic performance is a significant area of concern. On the state's most recent assessments, proficiency in mathematics across the school is markedly low, and proficiency in English language arts, while somewhat higher, remains well below typical levels. In grade three, the only grade where individual results are publicly reported, both math and ELA proficiency sit in the lower range. Grade four and five results are suppressed, typically indicating very small tested cohorts. Science assessment data for grade five is also suppressed. Among the districts in Placer County, Sheridan Elementary ranks in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects.
The school sits within Western Placer Unified, a district that has experienced recent growth marked by the opening of Twelve Bridges High School in Lincoln in 2021 and ongoing family immigration to the area. However, the district has faced repeated setbacks in passing facility bonds in recent years, which signals constraints on infrastructure investment even as student populations grow. For a small rural school like Sheridan, this context suggests limited near-term expansion of programs or facilities.
Housing in the Sheridan area is moderately priced relative to state and national benchmarks, and median household income in the county has held relatively steady. The labor market shows typical conditions with low unemployment. For families considering a move to this area, housing costs are not prohibitive, though the economic pressures reflected in the school's free and reduced lunch rate suggest income volatility or underemployment in parts of the local population.
Sheridan Elementary is a regular public school with no charter or magnet designation. Beyond the enrollment and demographic data, information on programs, staffing, course offerings, and discipline practices was not available, so a prospective parent should contact the school directly to understand what enrichment, support, and specialized instruction it offers. Given the small size and rural location, families should also consider whether the school's limited peer base and program scope align with their child's needs and interests, and whether a longer commute to a larger school might be worth considering. The low academic proficiency is a matter worth exploring with the school in depth.
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