Average
#5958 of 9,533 schools in CA
Buttonwillow Elementary
Elementary School · Buttonwillow Union Elementary
42600 Hwy 58, Buttonwillow, CA 93206
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#3,568 of 5,817
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Buttonwillow Elementary
Buttonwillow Elementary is a regular public school nestled in the rural community of Buttonwillow, California. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 287 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, with 21 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Buttonwillow Elementary is currently focusing on student development, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and state ranking of #7265 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 24th percentile.
Specifically, 23% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 17% are proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth, Buttonwillow Elementary provides a supportive and nurturing environment for its rural community. The school's setting offers a close-knit atmosphere where teachers and families work together to support the educational needs of each student.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Buttonwillow 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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Buttonwillow Elementary — Students at Buttonwillow Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 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: 5.5/10.
How Buttonwillow Elementary Compares
See how Buttonwillow Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 15.54% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 24% (2019) to 23.68% (2024).
Location
42600 Hwy 58, Buttonwillow, CA 93206
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buttonwillow Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rio Bravo Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Bakersfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maple Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Shafter), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Semitropic Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Wasco), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buttonwillow, see our Buttonwillow schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Elk Hills Elementary Tupman | 9.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Rosewall Christian Academy Bakersfield | 9.3 mi | — |
| McKittrick Elementary Mckittrick | 10.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Maple Elementary Shafter | 11.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Semitropic Elementary Wasco | 14.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Stage’s Family School Shafter | 12.1 mi | — |
| Grow Academy Shafter Bakersfield | 12.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Golden Oak Elementary Shafter | 12.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Little Hands Academy Shafter | 12.9 mi | — |
| John L. Prueitt Elementary Wasco | 14.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Redwood Elementary Shafter | 13.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Richland Junior High Shafter | 13.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Rio Bravo Elementary Bakersfield | 12.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Teresa Burke Elementary Wasco | 14.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Rio Bravo-Greeley Elementary Bakersfield | 12.6 mi | 7.6 |
| FREE WILL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Shafter | 13.5 mi | — |
| Palm Avenue Middle Wasco | 14.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Wasco Independence High Wasco | 14.8 mi | 6.6 |
| North Kern Christian Wasco | 15.1 mi | — |
| NORTH KERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco | 15.1 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,170
Median Home Value
$229,900
Median Rent
$1,086/mo
Population
1,953
College Educated
6.9%
Homeownership
35%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
18.1%
Median Age
27.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buttonwillow Elementary has a median household income of $53,170. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $229,900, with a median rent of $1,086/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.1%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SOULS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South San Francisco, CA | 5.8 |
| BAIS CHAYA MUSHKA Los Angeles, CA | 5.8 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Piedmont, CA | 5.8 |
| California Elementary La Puente, CA | 5.8 |
| Clyde W. Needham Elementary Lodi, CA | 5.8 |
| Commonwealth Elementary Fullerton, CA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buttonwillow Elementary
What grades does Buttonwillow Elementary serve?
Buttonwillow Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Buttonwillow Elementary?
Buttonwillow Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buttonwillow Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Buttonwillow Elementary is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buttonwillow Elementary rank in CA?
Buttonwillow Elementary is ranked #5958 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Buttonwillow Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buttonwillow Elementary has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Buttonwillow Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buttonwillow Elementary has 17.1% math proficiency and 22.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buttonwillow Elementary a charter school?
No, Buttonwillow Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buttonwillow Elementary a Title I school?
No, Buttonwillow Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buttonwillow Elementary?
80.1% of students at Buttonwillow 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,155/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 764-5166
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Buttonwillow Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 287
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,326
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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