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Email BoardMcDowell Elementary
421 South McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma, CA 94954-3753
Summary
McDowell Elementary is badly underperforming.
Reading and math results average to the 2nd percentile among comparable California schools.
Only 9.2% of students met California's reading standard, and it is quickly trending down.
12.6% of students met California's math standard, and it is slowly trending down.
Proficiency stats
| Current Reading Proficiency | 9.2% |
| Current Math Proficiency | 12.6% |
| Reading State Rank | 4,632/4,657 (1st percentile) |
| Math State Rank | 4,475/4,657 (4th percentile) |
School information
| Student / Teacher Ratio | 21:1 |
| Student enrollment (2024–25) | 329 |
| Low-Income Students | 283 (86.0%) |
| English Learners | 184 (55.9%) |
School Website
Great Schools
Niche
Ed-Data
CAASPP| Admissions | Open enrollment |
|---|---|
| Charter school | No |
| Magnet school | No |
Test score trends
Reading fell 9.5 points from last year and fell 14.6 points over the full period. Math fell 0.2 points from last year and fell 4.4 points over the full period.
•Math -4.4 percentage points (2024–2026)Reading Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
Only one group has a reportable reading result.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the reading standard ranges from 6.1% to 18.8% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s reading results rank No. 4,632 of 4,657 among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 32.9-point reading income gap is nearly twice as wide as the 17.6-point gap at a typical California K–6 school. It widened over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
0.0% of English learners meet the reading standard, compared with 20.9% of English-only students. The gap narrowed as English-learner results fell and English-only results fell.
•Math Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
Only one group has a reportable math result.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the math standard ranges from 8.3% to 18.8% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s math results rank No. 4,475 of 4,657 among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 22.0-point math income gap is slightly wider than the 17.5-point gap at a typical California K–6 school. It widened over the period shown.
•
English Learners vs English Native
2.2% of English learners meet the math standard, compared with 25.6% of English-only students. The gap widened as English-learner results fell and English-only results rose.
•Progress as students move up
2023–2026
How we compare income gaps
“Typical” means the median gap across 1,479 schools for reading and 1,483 for math. The comparison uses 2026 California K–6 schools with at least 20 tested students in each income group and a reported low-income student population. Each school counts once. Its gap is non-low-income proficiency minus low-income proficiency, including negative gaps. California state test data
Understanding this school
How does McDowell Elementary compare within the district?
McDowell Elementary is No. 5 in both reading and math proficiency among the 5 K–6 schools in Petaluma City Elementary with 2026 results.
Explore the district’s schoolsHow does McDowell Elementary rank in California?
McDowell Elementary ranks No. 4,632 of 4,657 in reading and No. 4,475 of 4,657 in math for 2026. These proficiency rankings compare California schools in the same grade-level category.
How do low-income students at McDowell Elementary compare within the district?
Low-income students here rank No. 5 in both subjects among 5 K–6 district schools with reportable 2026 results for this group. 5.2% meet the reading standard and 9.8% meet the math standard.
See results by student groupHow does McDowell Elementary compare with other schools in Petaluma?
McDowell Elementary is No. 15 in both reading and math proficiency among the 15 K–6 schools in Petaluma with 2026 results.
Explore schools in PetalumaHow does McDowell Elementary compare with other schools in Sonoma County?
McDowell Elementary is No. 49 in reading and No. 46 in math proficiency among the 50 K–6 schools in Sonoma County with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Sonoma CountyWhich schools should I compare?
Schools serving K–6 in the same district.
| School | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| McDowell ElementaryThis school | 12.6% | 9.2% |
| Grant Elementary | 70.3% | 72.4% |
| McKinley Elementary | 37.6% | 43.9% |
