Needs Improvement
#9125 of 9,533 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
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Crescent City
#9 of 10
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,501 of 5,817
In district
#10 of 11
Del Norte County Unified
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Bess Maxwell Elementary
Bess Maxwell Elementary, located in Crescent City, California, is a small elementary school serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 232 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. Bess Maxwell has 13 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' academic development.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.8 out of 10, placing it in the 7th percentile among California schools based on state rankings. Academically, only 18% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 16% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate that Bess Maxwell is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth.
Bess Maxwell Elementary is situated in a remote town where community support and involvement play crucial roles in the school's environment. The setting offers a tight-knit atmosphere where teachers, students, and families work together to foster a supportive learning community.
Score Breakdown
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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 10 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: 2.4/10.
How Bess Maxwell Elementary Compares
See how Bess Maxwell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 13% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 14.56% (2024).
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. Joe Hamilton Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Redwood Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Dick), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kalmiopsis Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 20.5 miles away, in nearby Brookings), 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 | 6.3 |
| Del Norte Community Crescent City | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Del Norte High Crescent City | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Mary Peacock Elementary Crescent City | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Joe Hamilton Elementary Crescent City | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Crescent Elk Middle Crescent City | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Crescent City SDA School Crescent City | 0.9 mi | — |
| Uncharted Shores Academy Crescent City | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Crescent City | 1.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Sunset High Crescent City | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Redwood Elementary Fort Dick | 7.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Smith River Elementary Smith River | 11.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Mountain Elementary Gasquet | 13.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Margaret Keating Elementary Klamath | 16.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Azalea Middle School Brookings | 20.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Brookings-Harbor High School Brookings | 20.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Kalmiopsis Elementary School Brookings | 20.5 mi | 6.5 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bess Maxwell Elementary has a median household income of $66,817. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $323,600, with a median rent of $1,202/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Coarsegold Elementary Coarsegold, CA | 3.7 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (CHANGED THE NAME 6/15) Escondido, CA | 3.7 |
| Golden Valley River Orangevale, CA | 3.7 |
| Pierce Elementary Ridgecrest, CA | 3.7 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Crescent City, CA | 3.7 |
| Southside Elementary Hollister, CA | 3.7 |
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 is ranked #9125 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Bess Maxwell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bess Maxwell Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Bess Maxwell Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bess Maxwell Elementary has 15.8% math proficiency and 18.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (7,960/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Crescent City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (707) 464-0310
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Del Norte County Unified- District Enrollment
- 3,427
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,219
- District Rank
- #10 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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