Very Good
#2604 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 27% in state
Buena Vista Elementary
Elementary School · Panama-Buena Vista Union
6547 Buena Vista Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93311
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#14 of 145
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,762 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 25
Panama-Buena Vista Union
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Buena Vista Elementary
Buena Vista Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Bakersfield, California, nestled in a rural area near the town. The school serves kindergarten through sixth grade with an enrollment of 720 students and a student-teacher ratio of 25.7:1. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Buena Vista Elementary focuses on providing a supportive educational environment for its diverse group of learners.
Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.9 out of 10 and is ranked 2481st out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 74th percentile. The academic score stands at 7.7 out of 10, indicating there is room for growth and improvement in educational outcomes. In reading and English language arts (ELA), 58% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 46% reach proficiency levels.
Buena Vista Elementary is situated in a rural setting that offers a close-knit community feel. The school strives to provide a nurturing atmosphere where students can thrive both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary is 25.7:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Buena Vista Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Buena Vista Elementary — Students at Buena Vista Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.4%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.
How Buena Vista Elementary Compares
See how Buena Vista Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 45.02% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 56% (2019) to 58.81% (2024).
Location
6547 Buena Vista Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93311
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buena Vista Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Leo B. Hart Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Highgate Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Old River Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LOVE TO LEARN Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | — |
| Earl Warren Junior High Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Independence High Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Old River Elementary Bakersfield | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Stockdale High Bakersfield | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Sing Lum Elementary Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Tevis Junior High Bakersfield | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Leo B. Hart Elementary Bakersfield | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Christa McAuliffe Elementary Bakersfield | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Donald E. Suburu Bakersfield | 2.7 mi | 2.6 |
| Highgate Elementary Bakersfield | 3.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Bakersfield | 3.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Laurelglen Elementary Bakersfield | 3.3 mi | 4.1 |
| BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Bakersfield | 4.0 mi | 4.9 |
| VALLEY ACHIEVEMENT CENTER Bakersfield | 3.9 mi | — |
| Del Rio Elementary Bakersfield | 4.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Valley Achievement Center Bakersfield | 3.9 mi | — |
| Douglas J. Miller Elementary Bakersfield | 3.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Bill L. Williams Elementary Bakersfield | 3.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Stockdale Elementary Bakersfield | 4.3 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93311 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,591
Median Home Value
$425,500
Median Rent
$1,884/mo
Population
52,505
College Educated
38.9%
Homeownership
70.8%
Avg Commute
24.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Median Age
32.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buena Vista Elementary has a median household income of $117,591. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $425,500, with a median rent of $1,884/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Achieve Academy Oakland, CA | 7.3 |
| Bella Vista Elementary Monterey Park, CA | 7.3 |
| California Montessori Project - Elk Grove Campus Carmichael, CA | 7.3 |
| Canyon Crest Elementary Fontana, CA | 7.3 |
| Casita Center for Science/Math/Technology Vista, CA | 7.3 |
| Castro Valley Elementary Castro Valley, CA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buena Vista Elementary
What grades does Buena Vista Elementary serve?
Buena Vista Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Buena Vista Elementary?
Buena Vista Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 720 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary is 25.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buena Vista Elementary rank in CA?
Buena Vista Elementary is ranked #2604 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Buena Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buena Vista Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Buena Vista Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buena Vista Elementary has 45.6% math proficiency and 58.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buena Vista Elementary a charter school?
No, Buena Vista Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buena Vista Elementary a Title I school?
No, Buena Vista Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buena Vista Elementary?
70.4% of students at Buena Vista 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
- Walk Score
- 10 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 33 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,028/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 720
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 831-0818
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Panama-Buena Vista Union- District Enrollment
- 19,369
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,644
- District Rank
- #4 of 25
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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