Needs Improvement
#8919 of 9,539 schools in CA
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary
Elementary School · Empire Union Elementary
512 North McClure Rd., Modesto, CA 95357
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
24.9:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
24.9:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,919 of 9,539
In Modesto
#61 of 70
public schools
In district
#5 of 6
Empire Union Elementary
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Bernard L. Hughes Elementary
Elementary School in Modesto · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Peter Johansen High
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Capistrano Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bernard L. Hughes Elementary
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary is a public elementary school in Modesto, CA, part of Empire Union Elementary. Bernard L.
Hughes Elementary serves approximately 474 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 24.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Bernard L. Hughes Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #8,919 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Bernard L. Hughes Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.2
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary runs 24.9:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
42% of students at Bernard L. Hughes Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary — Students at Bernard L. Hughes Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.
How Bernard L. Hughes Elementary Compares
See how Bernard L. Hughes Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
512 North McClure Rd., Modesto, CA 95357
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bernard L. Hughes Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. El Vista Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sonoma Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakewood Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Modesto, see our Modesto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Johansen High Modesto | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Capistrano Elementary Modesto | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Lakewood Elementary Modesto | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Christine Sipherd Elementary Modesto | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Alice N. Stroud Elementary Modesto | 1.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Norman N. Glick Middle Modesto | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Daniel J. Savage Middle Modesto | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Sonoma Elementary Modesto | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| El Vista Elementary Modesto | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Freedom Elementary Modesto | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Empire Elementary Empire | 1.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Teel School in Empire Empire | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Connecting Waters Charter School - Central Valley Waterford | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Orchard Elementary Modesto | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Mary Ann Sanders Elementary Modesto | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Virginia Parks Elementary Modesto | 2.5 mi | 4.8 |
| La Loma Junior High Modesto | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Rose Avenue Elementary Modesto | 2.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Elizabeth Ustach Middle Modesto | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Samuel Vaughn Elementary Ceres | 3.1 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95357 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,066
Median Home Value
$417,800
Median Rent
$2,001/mo
Population
14,283
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
70.5%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Median Age
34.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anaverde Hills Palmdale, CA | 3.6 |
| Buena Vista Elementary Palmdale, CA | 3.6 |
| Cerra Vista Elementary Hollister, CA | 3.6 |
| Cordova Meadows Elementary Rancho Cordova, CA | 3.6 |
| Dool Elementary Calexico, CA | 3.6 |
| Elihu Beard Elementary Modesto, CA | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bernard L. Hughes Elementary
What grades does Bernard L. Hughes Elementary serve?
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Bernard L. Hughes Elementary?
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 474 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bernard L. Hughes Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bernard L. Hughes Elementary is 24.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bernard L. Hughes Elementary rank in CA?
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary ranks #8,919 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Bernard L. Hughes Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bernard L. Hughes Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bernard L. Hughes Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Bernard L. Hughes Elementary a charter school?
No, Bernard L. Hughes Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bernard L. Hughes Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bernard L. Hughes Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bernard L. Hughes Elementary?
76.2% of students at Bernard L. Hughes Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 474
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Stanislaus County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.4%
- Phone
- (209) 527-1330
Resources & Links
District
Empire Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 2,825
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,531
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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