Albert A. Michelson Elementary

Albert A. Michelson Elementary is a close-knit elementary campus in Murphys, California, overseen by Vallecito Union. The school teaches 226 students in grades K through 5. Compared to the state average of about 465 students per school, that is 51% leaner than typical.

Vallecito Union runs 3 schools in total, collectively educating 597 students. Albert A. Michelson Elementary is one of those campuses.

On demographics, Albert A. Michelson Elementary logs that 72% of the student body identifies as White. The remainder reads as 16% Hispanic, 6% multiracial, 3% Native American.

Looking at the economic backdrop, The school employs 12 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 18.8:1. The state averages around 22.3:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. Around 46% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. Set against Calaveras County (around 54%), the school's rate is south of typical.

On a demographically-adjusted basis, Albert A. Michelson Elementary tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 51.8% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 58.1%.

In the surrounding community, Calaveras County reports that median household earnings sit near $78,647, roughly 24% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 9% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Calaveras County runs 23 public schools (combined enrollment of about 5,261 students), of which Albert A. Michelson Elementary is one.

Rite of Passage is the nearest neighboring public school, about 5.3 miles from this campus. Within ten miles, there are 8 other public schools, a sparser pattern than typical urban areas. Among the 5 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Albert A. Michelson Elementary ranks 1st on composite proficiency, above the local average of 34.4%.

Geographically, the school is in a small-town area.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count rose 6%: 214 students in 2018 compared to 226 in 2025. Hispanic enrollment moved from 21% to 16% across the same window. Class-load math has rose: from 17.8:1 in 2018 to 18.8:1 in 2025.

On allk12, members of the Albert A. Michelson Elementary community share and discuss open house dates, ride-share offers, and field-trip permission slips. Contributors range from current parents to recent graduates and teachers.