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Sierra Sands Unified School District

Item: Sierra Sands Unified School District
Rating: 5
Author: Public School Review

113 W. Felspar Ave.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555-3520

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (760) 499-1600

www.ssusd.org

Top Rankings

Sierra Sands Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Overview

This School District

This State (CA)

# Schools

11 Schools

10,369 Schools

# Students

5,122 Students

5,826,838 Students

# Teachers

241 Teachers

268,018 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

21:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
Kind	445	254
1	345	193
2	356	201
3	389	202
4	390	207
5	348	209
6	395	210
7	420	214
8	413	215
9	430	227
10	417	232
11	402	228
12	372	239

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District Rank

Sierra Sands Unified School District, which is ranked #1072 of all 1,910 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 78% has decreased from 86% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (CA)

#1028 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District
2023	#1028
2022	#1044
2021	#719
2019	#837
2018	#520
2017	#425
2016	#428
2015	#333
2014	#289
2013	#415
2012	#470

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26%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	26%	34%
2022	25%	33%
2021	25%	34%
2019	36%	40%
2018	32%	39%
2017	33%	38%
2016	34%	37%
2015	35%	34%
2014	61%	63%
2013	60%	59%
2012	58%	59%

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41%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2022	41%	47%
2021	39%	49%
2019	50%	51%
2018	32%	50%
2017	50%	48%
2016	49%	48%
2015	51%	44%
2014	62%	58%
2013	59%	57%
2012	58%	58%
2011	55%	56%

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24%

29%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2022	24%	29%
2021	24%	28%

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78%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	78%	87%
2022	81%	87%
2021	83%	84%
2020	87%	85%
2019	90%	84%
2018	86%	84%
2017	90%	83%
2016	91%	83%
2015	92%	89%
2014	95%	88%
2013	93%	87%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.65

0.63

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	0.64	0.64
2022	0.63	0.63
2021	0.62	0.62
2020	0.60	0.63
2019	0.60	0.63
2018	0.58	0.64
2017	0.58	0.64
2016	0.57	0.64
2015	0.56	0.64
2014	0.57	0.65
2013	0.56	0.65
2012	0.56	0.65
2011	0.55	0.67
2010	0.54	0.67
2009	0.57	0.71
2008	0.52	0.65
2007	0.54	0.67
2006	0.53	0.66
2005	0.51	0.67
2004	0.48	0.67
2003	0.45	0.67
2002	0.44	0.67
2001	0.42	0.67
2000	0.41	0.67
1999	0.38	0.67
1998	0.38	0.67
1997	0.36	0.67
1996	0.37	0.67
1995	0.35	0.67
1994	0.34	0.67
1993	0.34	0.67
1992	0.32	0.67
1991	0.31	0.67

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2020	2%	1%
2019	2%	1%
2018	2%	1%
2017	2%	1%
2016	2%	1%
2015	1%	1%
2014	1%	1%
2013	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2011	2%	1%
2010	2%	1%
2009	2%	1%
2008	2%	1%
2007	3%	2%
2006	3%	1%
2005	3%	2%
2004	3%	2%
2003	2%	2%
2002	2%	2%
2001	2%	2%
2000	3%	1%
1999	3%	1%
1998	2%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	2%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1993	2%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%

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% Asian

12%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	4%	12%
2022	4%	12%
2021	4%	12%
2020	4%	12%
2019	4%	12%
2018	4%	11%
2017	4%	11%
2016	4%	11%
2015	5%	11%
2014	5%	11%
2013	5%	11%
2012	5%	11%
2011	5%	11%
2010	5%	11%
2009	4%	11%
2008	5%	12%
2007	6%	12%
2006	5%	12%
2005	6%	12%
2004	5%	12%
2003	5%	11%
2002	5%	11%
2001	5%	11%
2000	6%	11%
1999	4%	11%
1998	5%	11%
1997	5%	11%
1996	5%	11%
1995	5%	11%
1994	6%	11%
1993	5%	11%
1992	5%	11%
1991	4%	11%

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% Hispanic

33%

56%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	32%	55%
2022	31%	56%
2021	30%	56%
2020	29%	55%
2019	29%	55%
2018	27%	54%
2017	27%	54%
2016	28%	54%
2015	26%	54%
2014	26%	53%
2013	25%	53%
2012	24%	52%
2011	23%	51%
2010	22%	50%
2009	20%	49%
2008	20%	50%
2007	20%	49%
2006	19%	48%
2005	17%	47%
2004	16%	46%
2003	15%	45%
2002	14%	44%
2001	13%	43%
2000	11%	42%
1999	11%	41%
1998	11%	40%
1997	10%	40%
1996	10%	39%
1995	10%	38%
1994	10%	37%
1993	9%	36%
1992	8%	35%
1991	8%	34%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	6%	5%
2022	5%	5%
2021	5%	5%
2020	5%	5%
2019	5%	5%
2018	6%	6%
2017	6%	6%
2016	6%	6%
2015	6%	6%
2014	5%	6%
2013	5%	6%
2012	6%	6%
2011	6%	7%
2010	6%	7%
2009	6%	7%
2008	7%	8%
2007	7%	8%
2006	8%	8%
2005	7%	8%
2004	6%	8%
2003	6%	8%
2002	5%	8%
2001	5%	8%
2000	4%	9%
1999	4%	9%
1998	5%	9%
1997	5%	9%
1996	5%	9%
1995	4%	9%
1994	4%	9%
1993	4%	9%
1992	4%	9%
1991	4%	9%

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% White

49%

20%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	51%	21%
2022	53%	21%
2021	54%	22%
2020	56%	23%
2019	56%	23%
2018	59%	24%
2017	59%	24%
2016	59%	24%
2015	61%	24%
2014	61%	25%
2013	62%	25%
2012	62%	26%
2011	63%	27%
2010	64%	27%
2009	63%	28%
2008	66%	29%
2007	64%	29%
2006	65%	31%
2005	67%	31%
2004	70%	32%
2003	72%	34%
2002	74%	35%
2001	75%	36%
2000	76%	37%
1999	78%	38%
1998	77%	39%
1997	79%	39%
1996	78%	40%
1995	80%	41%
1994	80%	42%
1993	80%	43%
1992	82%	44%
1991	83%	45%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

View Data

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2015)
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2015	1%	1%
2014	1%	1%
2013	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2011	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%

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% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	5%	6%
2022	5%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	4%	4%
2019	4%	4%
2018	2%	4%
2017	2%	4%
2016	1%	4%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $19,944 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $13,945 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (CA)

Total Revenue

$102 MM

$116,387 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	$102 MM	$8 MM
2022	$73 MM	$7 MM
2021	$102 MM	$8 MM
2020	$73 MM	$7 MM
2019	$70 MM	$7 MM
2018	$87 MM	$29 MM
2017	$97 MM	$26 MM
2016	$66 MM	$24 MM
2015	$54 MM	$17 MM
2014	$60 MM	$21 MM
2012	$50 MM	$19 MM
2011	$54 MM	$19 MM
2010	$54 MM	$17 MM
2009	$56 MM	$19 MM
2008	$57 MM	$19 MM
2007	$58 MM	$19 MM
2006	$48 MM	$17 MM
2005	$45 MM	$16 MM
2004	$45 MM	$16 MM
2003	$40 MM	$16 MM
2002	$45 MM	$15 MM
2001	$44 MM	$15 MM
2000	$41 MM	$13 MM
1999	$36 MM	$12 MM
1998	$37 MM	$11 MM
1997	$36 MM	$10 MM
1996	$34 MM	$9 MM
1995	$31 MM	$8 MM

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Spending

$71 MM

$107,188 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	$71 MM	$7 MM
2022	$72 MM	$7 MM
2021	$71 MM	$7 MM
2020	$72 MM	$7 MM
2019	$67 MM	$7 MM
2018	$89 MM	$29 MM
2017	$97 MM	$24 MM
2016	$60 MM	$23 MM
2015	$66 MM	$18 MM
2014	$54 MM	$21 MM
2012	$61 MM	$19 MM
2011	$54 MM	$19 MM
2010	$66 MM	$18 MM
2009	$64 MM	$18 MM
2008	$57 MM	$19 MM
2007	$57 MM	$18 MM
2006	$47 MM	$17 MM
2005	$43 MM	$16 MM
2004	$45 MM	$17 MM
2003	$43 MM	$15 MM
2002	$43 MM	$16 MM
2001	$43 MM	$14 MM
2000	$35 MM	$13 MM
1999	$33 MM	$11 MM
1998	$36 MM	$11 MM
1997	$35 MM	$10 MM
1996	$37 MM	$8 MM
1995	$34 MM	$8 MM

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Revenue / Student

$19,944

$19,974

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	$20,081	$15,607
2022	$14,135	$14,213
2021	$20,637	$15,669
2020	$14,135	$14,213
2019	$13,742	$14,063
2018	$17,058	$16,033
2017	$19,253	$16,692
2016	$13,264	$15,604
2015	$10,843	$10,238
2014	$12,234	$11,786
2012	$9,870	$11,929
2011	$10,413	$11,681
2010	$9,946	$10,238
2009	$10,232	$11,099
2008	$10,379	$11,762
2007	$10,194	$11,879
2006	$8,438	$10,859
2005	$8,044	$10,445
2004	$8,057	$10,566
2003	$7,150	$10,456
2002	$8,102	$9,803
2001	$7,793	$10,568
2000	$7,146	$8,943
1999	$6,020	$8,203
1998	$5,929	$7,395
1997	$5,414	$6,922
1995	$4,535	$5,953
1992	$4,101	$5,430

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Spending / Student

$13,945

$18,396

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Sierra Sands Unified School District	California
2023	$14,041	$13,914
2022	$13,873	$13,602
2021	$14,430	$13,970
2020	$13,873	$13,602
2019	$13,085	$13,522
2018	$17,579	$16,124
2017	$19,398	$15,588
2016	$12,070	$14,779
2015	$13,291	$10,739
2014	$10,920	$11,804
2012	$12,065	$12,155
2011	$10,348	$11,509
2010	$12,191	$10,739
2009	$11,559	$10,975
2008	$10,290	$11,678
2007	$9,955	$11,317
2006	$8,167	$10,926
2005	$7,586	$10,789
2004	$7,954	$11,073
2003	$7,791	$10,210
2002	$7,711	$10,600
2001	$7,663	$10,007
2000	$6,201	$9,131
1999	$5,564	$7,911
1998	$5,627	$7,592
1997	$5,364	$6,759
1995	$5,011	$6,033
1992	$4,085	$5,588

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Sierra Sands Unified School District?

Sierra Sands Unified School District manages 11 public schools serving 5,122 students.

What is the rank of Sierra Sands Unified School District?

Sierra Sands Unified School District is ranked #1072 out of 1,910 school districts in California (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Sierra Sands Unified School District?

49% of Sierra Sands Unified School District students are White, 33% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Black, 6% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Sierra Sands Unified School District?

Sierra Sands Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 21:1, which is lower than the California state average of 22:1.

What is Sierra Sands Unified School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $13,945 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2025)

District size: 11 schools
Grades: KG-12
Enrollment: 5,122 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Minority Enrollment: 51%
: 78% (Top 50% in CA)
: Bottom 50%
: 26% (Btm 50%)
: 41% (Btm 50%)
: 24% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education