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Average

#7214 of 9,539 schools in CA

Emerson Middle

Middle School · Bakersfield City

801 Fourth St., Bakersfield, CA 93304

Enrollment

809

Student-Teacher

21.9:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,214 of 9,539

In Bakersfield

#101 of 145

public schools

In district

#22 of 44

Bakersfield City

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Emerson Middle

5.0/10

Middle School in Bakersfield · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mckinley Elementary

5.2/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Agapeland Christian Academy

4.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Emerson Middle

Emerson Middle is a public middle school in Bakersfield, CA, part of Bakersfield City. Emerson Middle serves approximately 809 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Emerson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #7,214 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Emerson Middle show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Emerson Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Emerson Middle runs 21.9:1 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.

44% of students at Emerson Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-28.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment5.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,155
Chronic Absenteeism43.5%

Emerson Middle — Students at Emerson Middle score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 26.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
26%
ELA
27%
2010
Math
22%
ELA
26%
2011
Math
29%
ELA
29%
2012
Math
24%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
21%
2017
Math
11%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
7%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
7%
ELA
21%
2022
Math
6.1%
ELA
23.4%
2024
Math
5.9%
ELA
23.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.

How Emerson Middle Compares

See how Emerson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
24th percentile in CA
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
5.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

801 Fourth St., Bakersfield, CA 93304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emerson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sequoia Jr. High (rated 4.8/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Abraham Lincoln Jr. High (rated 3.3/10, 1.3 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
McKinley Elementary Bakersfield 0.1 mi 5.2
AGAPELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield 0.2 mi 4.0
Vista Continuation High Bakersfield 0.2 mi 4.3
Rafer Johnson Bakersfield 0.4 mi 6.4
Sequoia Jr. High Bakersfield 0.9 mi 4.8
Fremont Elementary Bakersfield 0.8 mi 6.3
Bakersfield High Bakersfield 0.9 mi 5.1
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Bakersfield 0.9 mi 6.2
Kern County Special Education Bakersfield 1.0 mi 4.0
Kern County Community Bakersfield 1.0 mi 5.7
Kern County Juvenile Court Bakersfield 1.0 mi 5.8
Roosevelt Elementary Bakersfield 1.0 mi 6.4
Downtown Elementary Bakersfield 1.2 mi 8.2
Bessie E. Owens Elementary Bakersfield 1.1 mi 7.4
William Penn Elementary Bakersfield 1.1 mi 5.7
Wayside Elementary Bakersfield 1.4 mi 3.8
St. Francis Bakersfield 1.2 mi
Abraham Lincoln Jr. High Bakersfield 1.3 mi 3.3
Franklin Elementary Bakersfield 1.4 mi 5.7
Casa Loma Elementary Bakersfield 1.7 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,627

Median Home Value

$228,800

Median Rent

$1,141/mo

Population

51,457

College Educated

11.1%

Homeownership

43.5%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

27.4%

Median Age

29.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bud Carson Middle Hawthorne, CA 5.0
CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY MIDDLE SCHOOL Chatsworth, CA 5.0
Divisadero Middle Visalia, CA 5.0
Fontana Middle Fontana, CA 5.0
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Merced, CA 5.0
La Loma Junior High Modesto, CA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emerson Middle

What grades does Emerson Middle serve?

Emerson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Emerson Middle?

Emerson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 809 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Emerson Middle is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emerson Middle rank in CA?

Emerson Middle ranks #7,214 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Emerson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Emerson Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Emerson Middle has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Emerson Middle a charter school?

No, Emerson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Emerson Middle a Title I school?

No, Emerson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Emerson Middle?

94.7% of students at Emerson Middle 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

Walk Score
62 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
809
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Kern County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.5%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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