Very Good
#2678 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 28% in state
Bessie E. Owens Elementary
Elementary School · Bakersfield City
815 Potomac Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307
Enrollment
900
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
900
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,678 of 9,539
In Bakersfield
#24 of 145
public schools
In district
#5 of 44
Bakersfield City
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Excellent
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Bessie E. Owens Elementary
Elementary School in Bakersfield · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Our Lady of Guadalupe School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Abraham Lincoln Jr. High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bessie E. Owens Elementary
Bessie E. Owens Elementary is a public elementary school in Bakersfield, CA, part of Bakersfield City. Bessie E.
Owens Elementary serves approximately 900 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Bessie E. Owens Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,678 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Bessie E. Owens Elementary show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 5.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Bessie E. Owens Elementary runs 21.4:1 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.
41% of students at Bessie E. Owens 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
Bessie E. Owens Elementary — Students at Bessie E. Owens Elementary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.2%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.
How Bessie E. Owens Elementary Compares
See how Bessie E. Owens Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
815 Potomac Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bessie E. Owens Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Downtown Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rafer Johnson (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Bakersfield | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Abraham Lincoln Jr. High Bakersfield | 0.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Fremont Elementary Bakersfield | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| McKinley Elementary Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Vista Continuation High Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Emerson Middle Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Williams Elementary Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Rafer Johnson Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| AGAPELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Jefferson Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Mt. Vernon Elementary Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Longfellow Elementary Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Kern County Special Education Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Kern County Community Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Kern County Juvenile Court Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Downtown Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Sequoia Jr. High Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Casa Loma Elementary Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93307 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,572
Median Home Value
$238,400
Median Rent
$1,195/mo
Population
88,233
College Educated
7%
Homeownership
46.9%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
24.9%
Median Age
27.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Akers Elementary Lemoore, CA | 7.4 |
| Alisal Community Salinas, CA | 7.4 |
| American Indian Public Charter School II Oakland, CA | 7.4 |
| Bernardo Elementary Escondido, CA | 7.4 |
| Brookside Stockton, CA | 7.4 |
| Carolyn A. Clark Elementary San Jose, CA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bessie E. Owens Elementary
What grades does Bessie E. Owens Elementary serve?
Bessie E. Owens Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Bessie E. Owens Elementary?
Bessie E. Owens Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 900 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bessie E. Owens Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bessie E. Owens Elementary is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bessie E. Owens Elementary rank in CA?
Bessie E. Owens Elementary ranks #2,678 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Bessie E. Owens Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bessie E. Owens Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Bessie E. Owens Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bessie E. Owens Elementary has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Bessie E. Owens Elementary a charter school?
No, Bessie E. Owens Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bessie E. Owens Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bessie E. Owens Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bessie E. Owens Elementary?
93.2% of students at Bessie E. Owens 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
- 900
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kern County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.3%
- Phone
- (661) 631-5420
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #5 of 44
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