Excellent
#784 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 8% in state
Friendly Hills Elementary
Elementary School · Morongo Unified
PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Twentynine Palms
#1 of 15
public schools
California elementary schools
#576 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 16
Morongo Unified
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Friendly Hills Elementary
Friendly Hills Elementary is a public elementary school in Twentynine Palms, CA, part of the Morongo Unified. The school serves approximately 262 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 23.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 91.8th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 42% proficiency in math, 4 points above the state average and 54% in reading/language arts, 9 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $55,515, where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Friendly Hills Elementary is 23.8:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Friendly Hills 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Friendly Hills Elementary — Students at Friendly Hills Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.
How Friendly Hills Elementary Compares
See how Friendly Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 44.37% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 56.34% (2024).
Location
PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Friendly Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Joshua Tree Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Landers Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 11.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Bella Vista Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Desert Hot Springs), a more accessible option. For more schools in Twentynine Palms, see our Twentynine Palms schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| La Contenta Middle Twenty Nine Palms | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Black Rock Alternative/Continuation Twentynine Palms | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Joshua Tree Elementary Twentynine Palms | 3.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Onaga Elementary Twentynine Palms | 3.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Kuhlman Academy Yucca Valley | 4.2 mi | — |
| Joshua Springs Academy Yucca Valley | 4.7 mi | — |
| CUSTODIO HOME ACADEMY Yucca Valley | 4.9 mi | — |
| Yucca Mesa Elementary Twentynine Palms | 5.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Yucca Valley High Twentynine Palms | 5.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Yucca Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms | 6.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Landers Elementary Twentynine Palms | 11.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 13.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 14.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 14.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Painted Hills Middle Desert Hot Springs | 14.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 15.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs | 15.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs | 15.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 15.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Morongo Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms | 15.0 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92277 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,515
Median Home Value
$224,300
Median Rent
$1,267/mo
Population
27,742
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
42.4%
Avg Commute
18.9 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
27.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Friendly Hills Elementary has a median household income of $55,515. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,300, with a median rent of $1,267/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| A. G. Cook Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 8.4 |
| Arthur F. Corey Elementary Buena Park, CA | 8.4 |
| Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences San Diego, CA | 8.4 |
| Barbara Benson Elementary Tustin, CA | 8.4 |
| Cayucos Elementary Cayucos, CA | 8.4 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Friendly Hills Elementary
What grades does Friendly Hills Elementary serve?
Friendly Hills Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Friendly Hills Elementary?
Friendly Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 262 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Friendly Hills Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Friendly Hills Elementary is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Friendly Hills Elementary rank in CA?
Friendly Hills Elementary is ranked #784 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Friendly Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Friendly Hills Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Friendly Hills Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Friendly Hills Elementary has 42.3% math proficiency and 54.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Friendly Hills Elementary a charter school?
No, Friendly Hills Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Friendly Hills Elementary a Title I school?
No, Friendly Hills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Friendly Hills Elementary?
66.0% of students at Friendly Hills 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Twentynine Palms). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 262
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- San Bernardino County
- Phone
- (760) 366-3812
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Morongo Unified- District Enrollment
- 7,359
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,247
- District Rank
- #1 of 16
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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