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Average

#6080 of 9,539 schools in CA

Friendly Hills Elementary

Elementary School · Morongo Unified

PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Enrollment

262

Student-Teacher

23.8:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#6,080 of 9,539

In Twentynine Palms

#3 of 15

public schools

In district

#3 of 16

Morongo Unified

Academic performance

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Friendly Hills Elementary

5.7/10

Elementary School in Twentynine Palms · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

La Contenta Middle

4.6/10

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

Black Rock Alternative/continuation

5.3/10

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

About Friendly Hills Elementary

Friendly Hills Elementary is a public elementary school in Twentynine Palms, CA, part of Morongo Unified. Friendly Hills Elementary serves approximately 262 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 23.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Friendly Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #6,080 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Friendly Hills Elementary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.6 pts above district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 4.1
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Friendly Hills Elementary runs 23.8:1 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.

Friendly Hills Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-1.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.5 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment6.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,247
Chronic Absenteeism14.5%

Friendly Hills Elementary — Students at Friendly Hills Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 54.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
61%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
76%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
33%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
37.3%
ELA
44.6%
2024
Math
44%
ELA
55.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.7/10.

How Friendly Hills Elementary Compares

See how Friendly Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.5%

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

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. Two Bunch Palms Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Desert Hot Springs), with a very similar rating. Another option is Morongo Valley Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 15.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cabot Yerxa Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Desert Hot Springs), with a comparable rating. 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 4.6
Black Rock Alternative/Continuation Twentynine Palms 2.1 mi 5.3
Joshua Tree Elementary Twentynine Palms 3.3 mi 3.8
Onaga Elementary Twentynine Palms 3.6 mi 3.6
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 4.1
Yucca Valley High Twentynine Palms 5.1 mi 5.2
Yucca Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms 6.6 mi 4.0
Landers Elementary Twentynine Palms 11.4 mi 4.9
Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs 13.8 mi 3.0
Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs 14.4 mi 5.3
Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs 14.1 mi 3.7
Painted Hills Middle Desert Hot Springs 14.2 mi 6.0
Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs 15.3 mi 4.5
Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs 15.2 mi 4.8
Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs 15.0 mi 7.1
Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs 15.7 mi 5.8
Morongo Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms 15.0 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aragon Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA 5.7
Bandini Street Elementary San Pedro, CA 5.7
Ben Painter Elementary San Jose, CA 5.7
Biggs Elementary Biggs, CA 5.7
COASTLINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Alameda, CA 5.7
Calvert Charter for Enriched Studies Woodland Hills, CA 5.7

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 ranks #6,080 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Friendly Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Friendly Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Friendly Hills Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Friendly Hills Elementary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.5%

District

Morongo Unified
District Enrollment
7,359
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,247
District Rank
#3 of 16

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