At a glance
Reported students
406
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
16
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
25.4:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–06
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
California elementary enrollment
39th percentile
Compared with 5,927 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
497
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary: 406 reported students.
State peer staffing position
87th percentile
25.4:1 reported; state peer median 22.4:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 379
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Student–teacher ratio
- 19:1
What the reported data says about James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades KG–06 in Sacramento. It is one of 68 current school records connected to San Juan Unified. NCES reports 406 students for 2024–25.
Among 5,927 elementary schools in California with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 455 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 39th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 25.4:1, above the California median of 22.4:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (49%) and Hispanic or Latino (22.4%). English learners represent 11.6% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 7.4%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary
- 1How do the reported 25.4:1 student–teacher ratio and 16 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 11.6%
- Students with disabilities
- 7.4%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 48.3%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White49%
- Hispanic22.4%
- Black6.4%
- Asian9.6%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.7%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander1%
- Multiracial10.8%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in San Juan Unified
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Cameron Ranch Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
406 reported students
Oakview Community Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
407 reported students
Harry Dewey Fundamental Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
408 reported students
Whitney Avenue Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
411 reported students
Mission Avenue Open Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
415 reported students
Trajan Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
391 reported students
Public schools near James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitney Avenue Elementary Elementary · San Juan Unified | KG–05 | 411 | 0.4 mi |
| Del Paso Manor Elementary Elementary · San Juan Unified | KG–06 | 734 | 0.9 mi |
| Pasadena Avenue Elementary Elementary · San Juan Unified | KG–05 | 343 | 0.9 mi |
| Mission Avenue Open Elementary Elementary · San Juan Unified | KG–06 | 415 | 1.1 mi |
| Cottage Elementary Elementary · San Juan Unified | KG–05 | 502 | 1.8 mi |
| California Montessori Project-San Juan Campuses Elementary · Charter · California Montessori Project-San Juan Campuses District | KG–08 | 1,545 | 1.8 mi |
Frequently asked questions about James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary
What grades does James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary serve?
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary reports grades KG–06 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in San Juan Unified.
How many students attend James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary?
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary reported 406 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 39th percentile among 5,927 California elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 379 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 25.4:1, based on 406 students and 16 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The California median for the same school level is 22.4:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on San Juan Unified attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
48.3% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary in?
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary is part of San Juan Unified, based in Carmichael, CA, which operates 68 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Whitney Avenue Elementary (0.4 mi), Del Paso Manor Elementary (0.9 mi), Pasadena Avenue Elementary (0.9 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.