Needs Improvement
#9079 of 9,539 schools in CA
Bess Maxwell Elementary
Elementary School · Del Norte County Unified
1124 El Dorado St., Crescent City, CA 95531
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,079 of 9,539
In Crescent City
#10 of 10
public schools
In district
#11 of 11
Del Norte County Unified
School environment
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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Bess Maxwell Elementary
Elementary School in Crescent City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Castle Rock
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Del Norte Community
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bess Maxwell Elementary
Bess Maxwell Elementary is a public elementary school in Crescent City, CA, part of Del Norte County Unified. Bess Maxwell Elementary serves approximately 232 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Bess Maxwell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #9,079 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Bess Maxwell Elementary show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
36% of students at Bess Maxwell 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
Bess Maxwell Elementary — Students at Bess Maxwell Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81%
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: 1.7/10.
How Bess Maxwell Elementary Compares
See how Bess Maxwell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1124 El Dorado St., Crescent City, CA 95531
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bess Maxwell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mountain Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Gasquet), which scores notably higher. Another option is Smith River Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Smith River), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Redwood Elementary (rated 5.6/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Dick), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Crescent City, see our Crescent City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 33.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Castle Rock Crescent City | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Del Norte Community Crescent City | 0.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Del Norte High Crescent City | 0.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Mary Peacock Elementary Crescent City | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Joe Hamilton Elementary Crescent City | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Crescent Elk Middle Crescent City | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Crescent City SDA School Crescent City | 0.9 mi | — |
| Uncharted Shores Academy Crescent City | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Crescent City | 1.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Sunset High Crescent City | 4.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Redwood Elementary Fort Dick | 7.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Smith River Elementary Smith River | 11.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Mountain Elementary Gasquet | 13.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Margaret Keating Elementary Klamath | 16.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Azalea Middle School Brookings | 20.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Brookings-Harbor High School Brookings | 20.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Kalmiopsis Elementary School Brookings | 20.5 mi | 4.9 |
| BROOKINGS HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Brookings | 25.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Orick Elementary Orick | 34.1 mi | — |
| Jack Norton Elementary Hoopa | 33.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95531 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,817
Median Home Value
$323,600
Median Rent
$1,202/mo
Population
22,491
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
67.8%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Median Age
39.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Antelope Elementary Littlerock, CA | 3.4 |
| Fletcher Elementary San Diego, CA | 3.4 |
| Hollywood Park Elementary Sacramento, CA | 3.4 |
| North Fork Elementary North Fork, CA | 3.4 |
| Rios Elementary El Cajon, CA | 3.4 |
| Riviera Elementary Kelseyville, CA | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bess Maxwell Elementary
What grades does Bess Maxwell Elementary serve?
Bess Maxwell Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Bess Maxwell Elementary?
Bess Maxwell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 232 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bess Maxwell Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bess Maxwell Elementary is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bess Maxwell Elementary rank in CA?
Bess Maxwell Elementary ranks #9,079 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Bess Maxwell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bess Maxwell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Bess Maxwell Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bess Maxwell Elementary has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Bess Maxwell Elementary a charter school?
No, Bess Maxwell Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bess Maxwell Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bess Maxwell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bess Maxwell Elementary?
81.0% of students at Bess Maxwell 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 232
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Del Norte County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.2%
- Phone
- (707) 464-0310
Resources & Links
District
Del Norte County Unified- District Enrollment
- 3,427
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,219
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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