Below Average
#8063 of 9,539 schools in CA
Harding Elementary
Elementary School · Bakersfield City
3201 Pico Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93306
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,063 of 9,539
In Bakersfield
#118 of 145
public schools
In district
#32 of 44
Bakersfield City
School environment
7.2 / 10
Very Good
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Harding Elementary
Elementary School in Bakersfield · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Compton Junior High
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bakersfield Adventist Academy
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Harding Elementary
Harding Elementary is a public elementary school in Bakersfield, CA, part of Bakersfield City. Harding Elementary serves approximately 546 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 21:1 student-teacher ratio. Harding Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #8,063 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Harding Elementary show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.4 · Below Average
- District avg 5.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Harding Elementary runs 21:1 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.
33% of students at Harding Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Harding Elementary — Students at Harding Elementary score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.
How Harding Elementary Compares
See how Harding Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3201 Pico Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93306
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harding Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Virginia Avenue Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS (rated 5.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pioneer Drive Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Compton Junior High Bakersfield | 0.1 mi | 4.6 |
| BAKERSFIELD ADVENTIST ACADEMY Bakersfield | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Bakersfield Adventist Academy Bakersfield | 0.2 mi | — |
| Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary Bakersfield | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Bakersfield | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| NIGRITIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield | 0.8 mi | — |
| Horace Mann Elementary Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| East Bakersfield High Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Henry Eissler Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Ramon Garza Elementary Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Sierra Middle Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| College Heights Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Chipman Junior High Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Tehillah Christian Academy Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | — |
| Highland High Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Pioneer Drive Elementary Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Williams Elementary Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Washington Middle Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Virginia Avenue Elementary Bakersfield | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93306 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,988
Median Home Value
$290,700
Median Rent
$1,219/mo
Population
73,370
College Educated
18.2%
Homeownership
63.3%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Median Age
32.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allan Peterson Elementary Merced, CA | 4.4 |
| Atherwood Elementary Simi Valley, CA | 4.4 |
| Avaxat Elementary Murrieta, CA | 4.4 |
| Beaumont Elementary Vista, CA | 4.4 |
| Belleview Elementary Porterville, CA | 4.4 |
| Boulder Creek Elementary Boulder Creek, CA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harding Elementary
What grades does Harding Elementary serve?
Harding Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Harding Elementary?
Harding Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 546 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harding Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Harding Elementary is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harding Elementary rank in CA?
Harding Elementary ranks #8,063 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Harding Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Harding Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Harding Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Harding Elementary has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Harding Elementary a charter school?
No, Harding Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harding Elementary a Title I school?
No, Harding Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harding Elementary?
87.0% of students at Harding 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 – 6th
- Enrollment
- 546
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Kern County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.0%
- Phone
- (661) 631-5300
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #32 of 44
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