Average
#7540 of 9,533 schools in CA
Downtown Elementary
Elementary School · Bakersfield City
2021 M St., Bakersfield, CA 93301
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#92 of 145
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,468 of 5,817
In district
#30 of 44
Bakersfield City
Equity
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Downtown Elementary
Downtown Elementary serves 319 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Bakersfield, California. Located at 2021 M Street in the heart of this large Central Valley city, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.8 to 1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks in the 82nd percentile statewide at #1,729 out of 9,566 California schools.
Students show strong achievement in English Language Arts, with 62% scoring proficient or above across grade levels, while 53% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's academic score of 8.3 out of 10. Downtown Elementary serves a diverse community where families face economic challenges, with nearly 40% of neighborhood residents living below the poverty line and a median household income of $37,294.
Despite these circumstances, the school's performance indicates dedicated educators working to support student success. The surrounding 93301 ZIP code area has a population of 13,672, with 17% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school sits in Bakersfield's urban core, providing educational opportunities in a central city location where median home values average $227,300.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Downtown Elementary is 22.8:1, 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
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Downtown Elementary — Students at Downtown Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.9%
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: 2.2/10.
How Downtown Elementary Compares
See how Downtown Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 53.43% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 62.25% (2024).
Location
2021 M St., Bakersfield, CA 93301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Downtown Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Longfellow Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rafer Johnson (rated 5.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kern County Special Education Bakersfield | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Kern County Community Bakersfield | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Kern County Juvenile Court Bakersfield | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Bakersfield High Bakersfield | 0.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Rafer Johnson Bakersfield | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Valley Oaks Charter Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin Elementary Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Stella I. Hills Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| AGAPELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| William Penn Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Longfellow Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Emerson Middle Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| McKinley Elementary Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Vista Continuation High Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| St. Francis Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | — |
| Abraham Lincoln Jr. High Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Bessie E. Owens Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Garces Memorial High Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,725
Median Home Value
$264,300
Median Rent
$1,129/mo
Population
14,026
College Educated
19.7%
Homeownership
38.7%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
38.8%
Median Age
34.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Downtown Elementary has a median household income of $40,725. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $264,300, with a median rent of $1,129/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 5.0 |
| Arovista Elementary Brea, CA | 5.0 |
| Aspire Rosa Parks Academy Oakland, CA | 5.0 |
| Barstow Fine Arts Academy Barstow, CA | 5.0 |
| Beach Park Elementary Foster City, CA | 5.0 |
| Brandon Elementary Goleta, CA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Downtown Elementary
What grades does Downtown Elementary serve?
Downtown Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Downtown Elementary?
Downtown Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 319 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Downtown Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Downtown Elementary is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Downtown Elementary rank in CA?
Downtown Elementary is ranked #7540 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Downtown Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Downtown Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Downtown Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downtown Elementary has 54.7% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Downtown Elementary a charter school?
No, Downtown Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Downtown Elementary a Title I school?
No, Downtown Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Downtown Elementary?
43.9% of students at Downtown 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 319
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 631-5920
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #30 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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