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Average

#5029 of 9,533 schools in CA

Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary

Elementary School · Bakersfield City

3401 Renegade Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93306

Enrollment

926

Student-Teacher

22:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bakersfield

#46 of 145

public schools

California elementary schools

#3,065 of 5,817

In district

#10 of 44

Bakersfield City

School environment

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary

Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary serves 926 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Bakersfield, California. With 42 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.0:1, providing a structured learning environment for its large elementary population. Academically, the school is working to strengthen student achievement, with 36% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 25% meeting standards in mathematics.

These results place Colonel Howard Nichols in the 41st percentile among California elementary schools, indicating significant room for academic growth as the school focuses on supporting student development across all grade levels. The school draws from a diverse working-class community in the 93306 zip code area, where the median household income is $66,060 and median home values are $265,600. About 17% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 19%.

This demographic mix reflects the broader character of many Bakersfield communities, where families are working to build stable foundations for their children's futures. Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary sits on Renegade Avenue in this large Central Valley city, serving as an integral part of Bakersfield's extensive public school network in Kern County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary is 22:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.7%
Math vs. State Avg-21 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,295

Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary — Students at Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.5%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 37.1%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
25.4%
ELA
36.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.

How Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary Compares

See how Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in CA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

3401 Renegade Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93306

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ramon Garza Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS (rated 5.8/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Horace Mann Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
BAKERSFIELD ADVENTIST ACADEMY Bakersfield 0.8 mi 6.0
Bakersfield Adventist Academy Bakersfield 0.8 mi
Tehillah Christian Academy Bakersfield 0.7 mi
Harding Elementary Bakersfield 0.8 mi 5.3
Compton Junior High Bakersfield 0.9 mi 6.4
NIGRITIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield 0.9 mi
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Bakersfield 1.0 mi 5.8
Henry Eissler Elementary Bakersfield 1.0 mi 4.6
Chipman Junior High Bakersfield 1.0 mi 7.0
College Heights Elementary Bakersfield 1.0 mi 5.1
Highland High Bakersfield 1.2 mi 5.0
East Bakersfield High Bakersfield 1.6 mi 5.9
Horace Mann Elementary Bakersfield 1.8 mi 5.4
Washington Middle Bakersfield 1.5 mi 4.0
Myra A. Noble Elementary Bakersfield 1.6 mi 4.9
Ramon Garza Elementary Bakersfield 2.1 mi 6.1
Sierra Middle Bakersfield 2.1 mi 5.6
Williams Elementary Bakersfield 2.1 mi 4.4
BETHEL CHRISTIAN Bakersfield 2.4 mi 6.0
Jefferson Elementary Bakersfield 2.1 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93306 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,988

Median Home Value

$290,700

Median Rent

$1,219/mo

Population

73,370

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

20.6%

Median Age

32.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary has a median household income of $66,988. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,700, with a median rent of $1,219/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Alberta Martone Elementary Modesto, CA 6.2
Balboa Elementary Glendale, CA 6.2
Camarena (Enrique S.) Elementary Chula Vista, CA 6.2
Cambridge Elementary Vacaville, CA 6.2
Campus Canyon Elementary Moorpark, CA 6.2
Cutler Elementary Cutler, CA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary

What grades does Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary serve?

Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary?

Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 926 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary rank in CA?

Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary is ranked #5029 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary has 26.5% math proficiency and 37.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary a charter school?

No, Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary a Title I school?

No, Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary?

91.7% of students at Colonel Howard Nichols 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
926
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Kern County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bakersfield City
District Enrollment
28,761
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,155
District Rank
#10 of 44

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 methodology

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