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A Strange Steam Engine in Portola - 2 Photos (26733443444)Photo: Roger Puta · Public domain
C+
Schools in Portola · Plumas Unified School District

Portola’s public schools score below 57% of California districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Portola’s districts is 28%, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Portola, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 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 91% 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
40%
▼ 7 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
28%
▼ 5 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
75–79%
▼ 7–11 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$22.1K
▲ 4% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.8
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
600 students on the public path
In brief

Portola’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 191 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Portola’s, its schools beat 63%, higher than their 43% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 91% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California (the state reports Portola’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $22,102 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Portola Junior/Senior High. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. 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 Portola’s grade

B− Test scoresC− Graduation

C+: better than 43% of California school districts. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 43%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (191)Better than 63%
CBA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 820 test results and a graduating class of 110 could put Portola anywhere from C to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 91% of Portola’s students in the tested grades sat them (819 in math, 822 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–6C. Roy Carmichael ElementaryPlumas Unified School DistrictNo scores
7–12Portola Junior/Senior HighPlumas Unified School DistrictB−

Portola’s public schools are run by Plumas Unified School District. 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.

Plumas Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 8 schools · 1,668 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 16.8 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$22,102CA $21,206 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading40%
State average 46.7% · 822 students tested
Math28%
State average 33.1% · 819 students tested

Portola vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PortolaC+Plumas Unified

Every school in Portola

2 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 Portolaby address
C. Roy Carmichael Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
344 students20:1Rate it →
Portola Junior/Senior High
High · Grades 7–12
B−
256 students14:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Beckwourth (Jim) High (Continuation)).

Questions about Portola’s schools

Are Portola’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Portola children attend score below 57% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 63%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Portola in?

Plumas Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,668 students in 8 schools (2024–25).

What is Portola’s graduation rate?

75–79% of the class of 2023 in Plumas Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Portola spend per student?

$22,102 in Plumas Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Portola families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Portola → 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.