Average
#6979 of 9,533 schools in CA
Harding Elementary
Elementary School · Bakersfield City
3201 Pico Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93306
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#80 of 145
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,127 of 5,817
In district
#23 of 44
Bakersfield City
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Harding Elementary
Harding Elementary is a regular public school located in Bakersfield, California, on Pico Avenue. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, Harding Elementary has an enrollment of 546 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is in a large suburban area where families often find a mix of residential streets and local amenities.
While the academic performance at Harding Elementary currently ranks lower compared to other schools in California, it offers opportunities for students to develop their skills and interests. In terms of standardized test scores, 37% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 21% demonstrate proficiency in Math. These results indicate areas where the school is focusing on improvement and student development.
Harding Elementary sits within a suburban community that supports its educational efforts through local resources and neighborhood engagement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Harding Elementary is 21:1, 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 12 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: 4.0/10.
How Harding Elementary Compares
See how Harding Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 18.65% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 34.73% (2024).
Location
3201 Pico Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93306
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harding Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pioneer Drive Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ramon Garza Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.4 |
| BAKERSFIELD ADVENTIST ACADEMY Bakersfield | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Bakersfield Adventist Academy Bakersfield | 0.2 mi | — |
| Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary Bakersfield | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Bakersfield | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| NIGRITIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield | 0.8 mi | — |
| Horace Mann Elementary Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| East Bakersfield High Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Henry Eissler Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Ramon Garza Elementary Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Sierra Middle Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 5.6 |
| College Heights Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Chipman Junior High Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Tehillah Christian Academy Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | — |
| Highland High Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Pioneer Drive Elementary Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Williams Elementary Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Washington Middle Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Virginia Avenue Elementary Bakersfield | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harding Elementary has a median household income of $66,988. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,700, with a median rent of $1,219/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Alamo Elementary Vacaville, CA | 5.3 |
| Alice Birney Elementary Eureka, CA | 5.3 |
| Belvedere Elementary Highland, CA | 5.3 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elementary La Quinta, CA | 5.3 |
| Bernard L. Hughes Elementary Modesto, CA | 5.3 |
| Bishop's Peak Elementary San Luis Obispo, CA | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #6979 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Harding Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Harding Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Harding Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harding Elementary has 21.1% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,028/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (661) 631-5300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #23 of 44
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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