Excellent
#1205 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 13% in state
Downtown Elementary
Elementary School · Bakersfield City
2021 M St., Bakersfield, CA 93301
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,205 of 9,539
In Bakersfield
#5 of 145
public schools
In district
#1 of 44
Bakersfield City
School environment
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Downtown Elementary
Elementary School in Bakersfield · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Kern County Special Education
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Kern County Community
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Downtown Elementary
Downtown Elementary is a public elementary school in Bakersfield, CA, part of Bakersfield City. Downtown Elementary serves approximately 319 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 22.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Downtown Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,205 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Downtown Elementary show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 5.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Downtown Elementary runs 22.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 36 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: 7.8/10.
How Downtown Elementary Compares
See how Downtown Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2021 M St., Bakersfield, CA 93301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Downtown Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bessie E. Owens Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Rafer Johnson (rated 6.4/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Roosevelt Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 4.0 |
| Kern County Community Bakersfield | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Kern County Juvenile Court Bakersfield | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Bakersfield High Bakersfield | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Rafer Johnson Bakersfield | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Valley Oaks Charter Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Franklin Elementary Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Stella I. Hills Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| AGAPELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| William Penn Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Longfellow Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Emerson Middle Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| McKinley Elementary Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Vista Continuation High Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| St. Francis Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | — |
| Abraham Lincoln Jr. High Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Bessie E. Owens Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Carmel, CA | 8.2 |
| ALTA VISTA SCHOOL San Francisco, CA | 8.2 |
| Aspen Meadow Public Fresno, CA | 8.2 |
| Aspen Valley Prep Academy Fresno, CA | 8.2 |
| BERKELEY HALL SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA | 8.2 |
| Bellingham Elementary North Hollywood, CA | 8.2 |
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 ranks #1,205 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Downtown Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Downtown Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Downtown Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Downtown Elementary has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 3.4%
- Phone
- (661) 631-5920
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #1 of 44
How we rate schools
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