Below Average
#8382 of 9,533 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
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ridgecrest
#6 of 10
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,985 of 5,817
In district
#6 of 10
Sierra Sands Unified
About Gateway Elementary
Gateway Elementary is a regular public school located in Ridgecrest, California, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 371 students and a student-teacher ratio of 24.7:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. Gateway Elementary's academic performance places it at the 45th percentile among California schools, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 6.2 out of 10.
In terms of proficiency levels in English language arts (ELA) and reading, 43% of students meet or exceed the standard, while 37% do so in math. Despite these statistics, Gateway Elementary focuses on student development and growth to help its pupils reach their full potential. The school is situated in a remote town where community ties are strong, offering a close-knit environment for both students and families.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Gateway Elementary is 24.7:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
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Gateway Elementary — Students at Gateway Elementary score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
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 12 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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 35.48% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 43.41% (2024).
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 6.1/10, 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 | 3.7 |
| Balas Montessori Home School Ridgecrest | 1.0 mi | — |
| St. Thomas Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | — |
| Burroughs High Ridgecrest | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Murray Middle Ridgecrest | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| James Monroe Middle Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| Mesquite Continuation High Ridgecrest | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci Ridgecrest | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gateway Elementary has a median household income of $84,141. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,400, with a median rent of $1,180/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 4.5 |
| Antelope Elementary Littlerock, CA | 4.5 |
| Bonny View Elementary Redding, CA | 4.5 |
| Cambridge Elementary Concord, CA | 4.5 |
| Camino Elementary Camino, CA | 4.5 |
| Captain Jason M. Dahl Elementary San Jose, 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 is ranked #8382 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Gateway Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gateway Elementary has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Gateway Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gateway Elementary has 36.7% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,757/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ridgecrest). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 499-1850
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sierra Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 5,122
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,168
- District Rank
- #6 of 10
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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