Average
#4744 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 50% in state
Based on limited data
James A. Forrest Elementary
Elementary School · Wasco Union Elementary
1102 Fifth St., Wasco, CA 93280
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wasco
#7 of 10
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,916 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 6
Wasco Union Elementary
About James A. Forrest Elementary
James A. Forrest Elementary is a public elementary school located in Wasco, California, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 578 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 23.1:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each child's educational needs.
The campus is situated on Fifth Street, fostering a close-knit community within its town setting. James A. Forrest Elementary focuses on nurturing young learners with dedicated teachers who work hard to support students' growth and development.
While the current academic performance shows room for improvement—43rd percentile ranking in California and 27% proficiency in math, along with 30% proficiency in ELA—the school is committed to enhancing its educational programs and supporting each student's unique learning journey. James A. Forrest Elementary stands as an integral part of the Wasco community, contributing to the education and well-being of local children within a supportive town environment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at James A. Forrest Elementary is 23.1:1, 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
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
James A. Forrest Elementary — Students at James A. Forrest Elementary score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
How James A. Forrest Elementary Compares
See how James A. Forrest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1102 Fifth St., Wasco, CA 93280
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James A. Forrest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Maple Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Shafter), which scores notably higher. Another option is Teresa Burke Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, John L. Prueitt Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wasco, see our Wasco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Wasco | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Karl F. Clemens Elementary Wasco | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco | 0.7 mi | — |
| Wasco High Wasco | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| NORTH KERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| North Kern Christian Wasco | 0.9 mi | — |
| Palm Avenue Middle Wasco | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Wasco Independence High Wasco | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Teresa Burke Elementary Wasco | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| John L. Prueitt Elementary Wasco | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Maple Elementary Shafter | 6.2 mi | 8.0 |
| FREE WILL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Shafter | 7.5 mi | — |
| Sequoia Elementary Shafter | 7.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Pond Elementary Wasco | 8.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Redwood Elementary Shafter | 7.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Richland Junior High Shafter | 7.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Horizon Elementary Mcfarland | 7.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Central Valley High (Continuation) Shafter | 7.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Shafter High Shafter | 7.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Golden Oak Elementary Shafter | 8.0 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93280 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,060
Median Home Value
$255,300
Median Rent
$996/mo
Population
27,266
College Educated
7.9%
Homeownership
58.7%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
19.4%
Median Age
30.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding James A. Forrest Elementary has a median household income of $55,060. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $255,300, with a median rent of $996/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach, CA | 6.4 |
| Academia Moderna Walnut Park, CA | 6.4 |
| Alameda Elementary Downey, CA | 6.4 |
| Allen Avenue Elementary San Dimas, CA | 6.4 |
| Alta Elementary Reedley, CA | 6.4 |
| Anderson Elementary Compton, CA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James A. Forrest Elementary
What grades does James A. Forrest Elementary serve?
James A. Forrest Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend James A. Forrest Elementary?
James A. Forrest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 578 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James A. Forrest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James A. Forrest Elementary is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James A. Forrest Elementary rank in CA?
James A. Forrest Elementary is ranked #4744 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is James A. Forrest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James A. Forrest Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 James A. Forrest Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James A. Forrest Elementary has 27.0% math proficiency and 30.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James A. Forrest Elementary a charter school?
No, James A. Forrest Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James A. Forrest Elementary a Title I school?
No, James A. Forrest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James A. Forrest Elementary?
91.0% of students at James A. Forrest 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,155/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 578
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 758-7490
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wasco Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 3,473
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,524
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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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