Samuel Vaughn Elementary

Samuel Vaughn Elementary sits in Ceres, a tight-knit agricultural community in the heart of the Central Valley, where families tend to put down roots and stay connected to their schools for the long haul. The school serves a working-class neighborhood and, while test scores land around the 30th percentile statewide, there's a genuine sense of community here that data alone doesn't capture. Families who value a close neighborhood school with a familiar, grounded feel — rather than a highly competitive academic environment — will find Vaughn a comfortable fit for their younger kids.