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Average

#4764 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 50% in state

Bernhard Marks Elementary

Elementary School · Dos Palos Oro Loma Joint Unified

1717 Valeria St., Dos Palos, CA 93620

Enrollment

479

Student-Teacher

23.9:1

Score

6.3

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dos Palos

#3 of 5

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,926 of 5,817

In district

#3 of 5

Dos Palos Oro Loma Joint Unified

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Bernhard Marks Elementary

Bernhard Marks Elementary is a public elementary school located in the town of Dos Palos, California. With an enrollment of 479 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 23.9:1, Bernhard Marks offers a learning environment with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school covers grades three through five.

Academically, Bernhard Marks Elementary has room for improvement according to MySchoolScout's rating system, with a score of 3.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #7399 among California’s 9566 schools. In terms of standardized test performance, the school shows that 23% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, while 18% are at the same level in Math. Despite these challenges, Bernhard Marks Elementary is part of a close-knit community where teachers and staff strive to support each student's development.

The school’s setting within Dos Palos means that it benefits from a strong local connection with families who value education and community involvement. Bernhard Marks Elementary stands as an integral part of the Dos Palos community, fostering a supportive environment for its students in this small California town.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Bernhard Marks Elementary is 23.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-26.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.8 pts
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,187

Bernhard Marks Elementary — Students at Bernhard Marks Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.9%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
20%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
24%
2024
Math
19.3%
ELA
22.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Bernhard Marks Elementary Compares

See how Bernhard Marks Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in CA
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

1717 Valeria St., Dos Palos, CA 93620

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bernhard Marks Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. El Nido Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby El Nido), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hazel M. Bailey Primary (rated 7.2/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Firebaugh), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dos Palos Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dos Palos, see our Dos Palos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Dos Palos Elementary Dos Palos 0.3 mi 6.3
Dos Palos High Dos Palos 0.4 mi 6.5
Bryant Middle Dos Palos 1.0 mi 5.6
Westside High Dos Palos 2.0 mi 5.2
Alview Elementary Chowchilla 9.6 mi 4.5
Charleston Elementary Los Banos 11.2 mi 5.5
El Nido Elementary El Nido 13.0 mi 7.3
Pacheco High Los Banos 12.1 mi 6.2
Arthur E. Mills Intermediate Firebaugh 12.7 mi 4.7
Firebaugh Middle Firebaugh 13.1 mi 4.5
Los Banos Junior High Los Banos 12.5 mi 5.2
Hazel M. Bailey Primary Firebaugh 13.2 mi 7.2
Grasslands Elementary Los Banos 12.7 mi 5.1
Mercey Springs Elementary Los Banos 12.5 mi 3.2
El Puente High Firebaugh 13.3 mi
Firebaugh Community Day Firebaugh 13.3 mi
Firebaugh High Firebaugh 13.6 mi 6.7
Merced County Juvenile Court Merced 15.1 mi
Los Banos High Los Banos 12.8 mi 5.5
Transitional Kindergarten Center Los Banos 13.1 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93620 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,890

Median Home Value

$295,100

Median Rent

$1,081/mo

Population

10,173

College Educated

10.9%

Homeownership

49.9%

Poverty Rate

20.5%

Median Age

36.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bernhard Marks Elementary has a median household income of $49,890. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,100, with a median rent of $1,081/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Agnes M. Baptist Elementary Modesto, CA 6.3
Anza Elementary Torrance, CA 6.3
Arts In Action Community Charter Los Angeles, CA 6.3
BAYMONTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotts Valley, CA 6.3
Badillo Elementary Covina, CA 6.3
Bay Park Elementary San Diego, CA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bernhard Marks Elementary

What grades does Bernhard Marks Elementary serve?

Bernhard Marks Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Bernhard Marks Elementary?

Bernhard Marks Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 479 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bernhard Marks Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bernhard Marks Elementary is 23.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bernhard Marks Elementary rank in CA?

Bernhard Marks Elementary is ranked #4764 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Bernhard Marks Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bernhard Marks Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bernhard Marks Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bernhard Marks Elementary has 17.9% math proficiency and 23.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bernhard Marks Elementary a charter school?

No, Bernhard Marks Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bernhard Marks Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bernhard Marks Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bernhard Marks Elementary?

90.0% of students at Bernhard Marks 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,692/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dos Palos). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
479
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Merced County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dos Palos Oro Loma Joint Unified
District Enrollment
2,270
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,599
District Rank
#3 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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