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Below Average

#8573 of 9,539 schools in CA

Irving L. Branch Elementary

Elementary School · Muroc Joint Unified

1577 Payne Ave., Edwards, CA 93523

Enrollment

401

Student-Teacher

28.6:1

Score

4.0

Grades

3rd – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,573 of 9,539

In Edwards

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#4 of 5

Muroc Joint Unified

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Irving L. Branch Elementary

4.0/10

Elementary School in Edwards · grades 3rd – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Desert Junior-senior High

6.1/10

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

William A. Bailey Elementary

6.8/10

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

About Irving L. Branch Elementary

Irving L. Branch Elementary is a public elementary school in Edwards, CA, part of Muroc Joint Unified. Irving L.

Branch Elementary serves approximately 401 students, and covers grades 3rd-6th, and has a 28.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Irving L. Branch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #8,573 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Irving L. Branch Elementary show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Irving L. Branch Elementary runs 28.6:1 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.

Irving L. Branch 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 Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.02 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-17.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-31.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,701
Chronic Absenteeism23.7%

Irving L. Branch Elementary — Students at Irving L. Branch Elementary score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 48.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 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
60%
ELA
59%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
25%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
20.1%
ELA
39.9%
2024
Math
28.6%
ELA
37.6%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Irving L. Branch Elementary Compares

See how Irving L. Branch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
10th percentile in CA
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
29:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.7%

Location

1577 Payne Ave., Edwards, CA 93523

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Irving L. Branch Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. William A. Bailey Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eastside Elementary (rated 4.9/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Lancaster), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mojave Elementary (rated 3.9/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Mojave), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Edwards, see our Edwards schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Desert Junior-Senior High Edwards 0.1 mi 6.1
William A. Bailey Elementary Edwards 0.2 mi 6.8
California City Middle California City 12.8 mi 3.3
Hacienda Elementary California City 12.9 mi 3.3
Robert P. Ulrich Elementary California City 13.7 mi 1.9
California City High California City 14.8 mi 5.8
Eastside Elementary Lancaster 14.8 mi 4.9
Academy for Advancement of Children with Autism - AV Lancaster 14.8 mi
ACADEMY FOR ADVANCEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM Lancaster 14.8 mi 7.2
Rosamond Elementary Rosamond 13.6 mi 3.4
Abraham Lincoln Alternative Rosamond 14.2 mi 4.8
Rare Earth High (Continuation) Rosamond 14.2 mi 5.2
Rosamond High Early College Campus Rosamond 14.3 mi 6.1
LANCASTER BAPTIST SCHOOL Lancaster 17.2 mi 6.2
Lancaster Baptist School Lancaster 17.2 mi
Mojave Jr./Sr. High Mojave 15.5 mi 5.8
Mojave Elementary Mojave 15.5 mi 3.9
West Boron Elementary Boron 15.0 mi 2.6
Gifford C. Cole Middle Lancaster 17.2 mi 4.9
Eastside Academy/Transitional Learning Center Lancaster 17.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,583

Median Home Value

$149,400

Median Rent

$2,194/mo

Population

3,681

College Educated

32.4%

Homeownership

24%

Avg Commute

17.9 min

Poverty Rate

7.5%

Median Age

26

Similar Schools

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

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Amesti Elementary Watsonville, CA 4.0
Anne Darling Elementary San Jose, CA 4.0
Aspire Juanita Tate Academy Charter Oakland, CA 4.0
Aspire River Oaks Charter Oakland, CA 4.0
BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Concord, CA 4.0
Barack Obama Charter Los Angeles, CA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Irving L. Branch Elementary

What grades does Irving L. Branch Elementary serve?

Irving L. Branch Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.

How many students attend Irving L. Branch Elementary?

Irving L. Branch Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 401 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Irving L. Branch Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Irving L. Branch Elementary is 28.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Irving L. Branch Elementary rank in CA?

Irving L. Branch Elementary ranks #8,573 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Irving L. Branch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Irving L. Branch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Irving L. Branch Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Irving L. Branch Elementary has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Irving L. Branch Elementary a charter school?

No, Irving L. Branch Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Irving L. Branch Elementary a Title I school?

No, Irving L. Branch Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Irving L. Branch Elementary?

16.5% of students at Irving L. Branch 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher Ratio
28.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Kern County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.7%

District

Muroc Joint Unified
District Enrollment
1,802
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,701
District Rank
#4 of 5

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