Best Schools in Ridgecrest, California
20 schools · 11 Elementary · 2 Middle · 5 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Ridgecrest?
Use this page to compare every school in Ridgecrest by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Pierce Elementary
Elementary · Sierra Sands Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Burroughs High
High · Sierra Sands Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Las Flores Elementary
Elementary · Sierra Sands Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Ridgecrest for 2026 are Pierce Elementary (7.8/10), Burroughs High (7.3/10), and Las Flores Elementary (7.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
20
10 public · 10 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$235,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
20
10 public · 10 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$235,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 7.8/10 despite 81% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Ridgecrest schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +9.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Ridgecrest schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Ridgecrest
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 rated schools; 20 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pierce Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Burroughs High | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Las Flores Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Richmond Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Faller Elementary | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Gateway Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Mesquite Continuation High | 4.9 / 10 |
| 8 | James Monroe Middle | 4.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Murray Middle | 3.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci | 2.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $84,141
- Median home value
- $235,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Avg commute
- 16 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
38% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ridgecrest compares
California rank
#447 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$84k
84% of California median
Schools in this city
13
Sierra Sands Unified runs 90% of Ridgecrest's public schools
Ridgecrest touches 2 districts, but Sierra Sands Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
Sierra Sands Unified accounts for 9 of 10 public schools (90%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 10 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.6 to 7.8 — the spread is inside Ridgecrest, not a citywide average.
- Sierra Sands Unified9 public · 90%
- Ridgecrest Elem Acad For Language Music and Sci District1 public · 10%
About Schools in Ridgecrest, California
Ridgecrest, California is home to 20 schools, including 10 public schools and 10 private schools. The city's schools span 11 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 5 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in Ridgecrest show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Ridgecrest is Pierce Elementary with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Ridgecrest is served by 2 school districts: Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci District, Sierra Sands Unified. These districts collectively serve 5,346 students.
Ridgecrest's community shows 31% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $84,141. The poverty rate in the area is 12.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 318 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 550 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 3 | 377 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 4 | 504 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.7 | ||
| 5 | 371 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.6 | ||
| 6 | 224 students · Kindergarten–6th | 2.6 | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Ann SchoolPrivate 115 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 33 students · Pre-K–1st | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 16 students · Kindergarten–7th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 36 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 elementary schools in Ridgecrest
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 542 students · 6th–8th | 4.2 |
| 2 | 686 students · 6th–8th | 3.5 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,518 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 103 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Calvary Christian SchoolPrivate 7 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Long Point AcademyPrivate 6 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Panamint Christian SchoolPrivate 13 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Immanuel Christian SchoolPrivate 142 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | Our Saviors Lutheran SchoolPrivate 8 students · Kindergarten–9th | Not Rated |
Schools in Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest, California · 20 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$84,141
Median Home Value
$235,400
Median Rent
$1,180/mo
Population
33,629
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
16 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Community Profile
Ridgecrest has a median household income of $84,141. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,400, with a median rent of $1,180/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 5
- Other
- 2
Resources
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Ridgecrest, California
How many schools are in Ridgecrest, California?
Ridgecrest has 20 schools, including 10 public and 10 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ridgecrest, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ridgecrest is 5.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Ridgecrest, California?
The top-ranked school in Ridgecrest on MySchoolScout is Pierce Elementary with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ridgecrest, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ridgecrest on MySchoolScout is Pierce Elementary with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Ridgecrest, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Ridgecrest on MySchoolScout is James Monroe Middle with a composite score of 4.2/10.
What is the best high school in Ridgecrest, California?
The top-ranked high school in Ridgecrest on MySchoolScout is Burroughs High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Ridgecrest, California?
Ridgecrest is served by 2 school districts: Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci District, Sierra Sands Unified.
What is the education level in Ridgecrest, California?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Ridgecrest have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ridgecrest, California?
The median household income in Ridgecrest is approximately $84,141 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ridgecrest, California?
Yes, Ridgecrest has 10 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Ann School with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ridgecrest, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ridgecrest is 14.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ridgecrest, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.