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B−
Schools in Pioneer · Amador County Unified School District

Pioneer’s public schools outscore 52% of California districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Pioneer, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 25% of Pioneer’s students scored proficient, below the California average (33%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
39%
▼ 8 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
25%
▼ 8 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 5 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.4K
▼ 28% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
22.1
CA 21.6 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
2,036 students on the public path
In brief

Pioneer’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,368 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Pioneer’s grade

C+ Test scoresB− Graduation

B−: better than 52% of California school districts. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 52%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (518)Better than 56%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,972 test results and a graduating class of 330 could put Pioneer anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Pioneer’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,959 in math, 1,986 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Pioneer, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–6Pioneer Magnet School for the Visual and Performing ArtsAmador County Unified School DistrictC+
7–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC− to C+
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to B−

Pioneer’s public schools are run by Amador County Unified School District, which also serves Amador City, Ione, Jackson and Plymouth and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Amador County Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 12 schools · 4,027 students, up 4% since 2020–21 · 22.1 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$15,368CA $21,206 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading39%
State average 46.7% · 1986 students tested
Math25%
State average 33.1% · 1959 students tested

Pioneer vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Pioneer’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PioneerB−Amador County Unified

Every school in Pioneer

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Pioneerby address
Pioneer Magnet School for the Visual and Performing Arts
Elementary · Grades K–6
C+
171 students26:1Rate it →
Also serving Pioneerin other towns
Ione Junior High
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Ione
C−
387 students25:1Rate it →
Jackson Junior High
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Jackson
C+
270 students19:1Rate it →
Amador High
High · Grades 9–12 · Sutter Creek
C+
615 students21:1Rate it →
Argonaut High
High · Grades 9–12 · Jackson
B−
593 students19:1Rate it →

Questions about Pioneer’s schools

Are Pioneer’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Pioneer children attend outscore 52% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 56%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Pioneer in?

Amador County Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 4,027 students in 12 schools (2024–25).

Where do Pioneer kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Amador High and Argonaut High.

What is Pioneer’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Amador County Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Pioneer spend per student?

$15,368 in Amador County Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Pioneer families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pioneer → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.