Below Average
#8012 of 9,539 schools in CA
Gateway Elementary
Elementary School · Sierra Sands Unified
501 South Gateway, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
24.7:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
24.7:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,012 of 9,539
In Ridgecrest
#7 of 10
public schools
In district
#7 of 10
Sierra Sands Unified
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Gateway Elementary
Elementary School in Ridgecrest · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Pierce Elementary
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Balas Montessori Home School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gateway Elementary
Gateway Elementary is a public elementary school in Ridgecrest, CA, part of Sierra Sands Unified. Gateway Elementary serves approximately 371 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Gateway Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #8,012 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Gateway Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 4.6
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Gateway Elementary runs 24.7:1 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
Gateway Elementary — Students at Gateway Elementary score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.6/10.
How Gateway Elementary Compares
See how Gateway Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
501 South Gateway, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gateway Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ANN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Richmond Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ridgecrest, see our Ridgecrest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.1 mi | 3.1 |
| Balas Montessori Home School Ridgecrest | 1.0 mi | — |
| St. Thomas Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | — |
| Burroughs High Ridgecrest | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Murray Middle Ridgecrest | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| James Monroe Middle Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Calvary Christian School Ridgecrest | 1.6 mi | — |
| St. Ann Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | — |
| ST ANN SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Richmond Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Mesquite Continuation High Ridgecrest | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| RIDGECREST ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Ridgecrest | 1.9 mi | — |
| Ridgecrest Adventist Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.9 mi | — |
| HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Ridgecrest Montessori Children's House Ridgecrest | 2.0 mi | — |
| Las Flores Elementary Ridgecrest | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci Ridgecrest | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Long Point Academy Ridgecrest | 2.4 mi | — |
| HERITAGE MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 3.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93555 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,141
Median Home Value
$235,400
Median Rent
$1,180/mo
Population
33,629
College Educated
30.5%
Homeownership
62.7%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
35.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allen (Decima M.) Elementary San Bruno, CA | 4.5 |
| Bandini Elementary City Of Commerce, CA | 4.5 |
| Barbara Benson Elementary Tustin, CA | 4.5 |
| Barrett Elementary Morgan Hill, CA | 4.5 |
| Bertrand Avenue Elementary Reseda, CA | 4.5 |
| Bobier Elementary Vista, CA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gateway Elementary
What grades does Gateway Elementary serve?
Gateway Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Gateway Elementary?
Gateway Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gateway Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Gateway Elementary is 24.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gateway Elementary rank in CA?
Gateway Elementary ranks #8,012 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Gateway Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gateway Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Gateway Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gateway Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Gateway Elementary a charter school?
No, Gateway Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gateway Elementary a Title I school?
No, Gateway Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gateway Elementary?
60.4% of students at Gateway 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 371
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Kern County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.0%
- Phone
- (760) 499-1850
Resources & Links
District
Sierra Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 5,122
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,168
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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