Average
#7364 of 9,533 schools in CA
Bessie E. Owens Elementary
Elementary School · Bakersfield City
815 Potomac Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307
Enrollment
900
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
900
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#87 of 145
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,352 of 5,817
In district
#26 of 44
Bakersfield City
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Bessie E. Owens Elementary
Bessie E. Owens Elementary serves 900 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Bakersfield, California. With 42 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1, providing a structured learning environment for its large student body.
Academically, Bessie E. Owens Elementary has room for growth, with 33% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 26% meeting standards in mathematics. The school receives a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 42nd percentile among California elementary schools, indicating opportunities for continued development in student achievement.
The school serves a diverse community where families demonstrate strong commitment to education despite economic challenges. Located in the 93307 ZIP code area, the neighborhood has a median household income of $50,157 and median home values around $220,400. With a poverty rate of 26.7% and 8% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the community reflects the working-class character common throughout much of Bakersfield.
Bessie E. Owens Elementary operates as a regular public school in this large Central Valley city, serving families who are invested in their children's educational journey while navigating the economic realities of their community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Bessie E. Owens Elementary is 21.4:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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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 12 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: 3.2/10.
How Bessie E. Owens Elementary Compares
See how Bessie E. Owens Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 26.33% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32.87% (2024).
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. Longfellow Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Casa Loma Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 3.7 |
| Fremont Elementary Bakersfield | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| McKinley Elementary Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Vista Continuation High Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Emerson Middle Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Williams Elementary Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Rafer Johnson Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| AGAPELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Jefferson Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Mt. Vernon Elementary Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Longfellow Elementary Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Kern County Special Education Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Kern County Community Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Kern County Juvenile Court Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Downtown Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Sequoia Jr. High Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Casa Loma Elementary Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bessie E. Owens Elementary has a median household income of $52,572. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $238,400, with a median rent of $1,195/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced, CA | 5.1 |
| Alicia Reyes Elementary Merced, CA | 5.1 |
| Antelope Hills Elementary Murrieta, CA | 5.1 |
| Antelope Meadows Elementary Antelope, CA | 5.1 |
| Barton (Clara) Elementary Anaheim, CA | 5.1 |
| Bonsall Elementary Bonsall, CA | 5.1 |
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 is ranked #7364 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Bessie E. Owens Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bessie E. Owens Elementary has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Bessie E. Owens Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bessie E. Owens Elementary has 29.0% math proficiency and 34.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,028/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (661) 631-5420
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #26 of 44
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.
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