Excellent
#1652 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 17% in state
James A. Forrest Elementary
Elementary School · Wasco Union Elementary
1102 Fifth St., Wasco, CA 93280
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,652 of 9,539
In Wasco
#1 of 10
public schools
In district
#1 of 6
Wasco Union Elementary
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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James A. Forrest Elementary
Elementary School in Wasco · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Thomas Jefferson Middle
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Karl F. Clemens Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James A. Forrest Elementary
James A. Forrest Elementary is a public elementary school in Wasco, CA, part of Wasco Union Elementary. James A.
Forrest Elementary serves approximately 578 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.1:1 student-teacher ratio. James A. Forrest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,652 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for James A. Forrest Elementary show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).
- This school 8.0 · Excellent
- District avg 7.1
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
James A. Forrest Elementary runs 23.1:1 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
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. Horizon Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Mcfarland), with a very similar rating. Another option is Teresa Burke Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Golden Oak Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Shafter), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.3 |
| Karl F. Clemens Elementary Wasco | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco | 0.7 mi | — |
| Wasco High Wasco | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| NORTH KERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| North Kern Christian Wasco | 0.9 mi | — |
| Palm Avenue Middle Wasco | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Wasco Independence High Wasco | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Teresa Burke Elementary Wasco | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| John L. Prueitt Elementary Wasco | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Maple Elementary Shafter | 6.2 mi | 6.9 |
| FREE WILL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Shafter | 7.5 mi | — |
| Sequoia Elementary Shafter | 7.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Pond Elementary Wasco | 8.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Redwood Elementary Shafter | 7.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Richland Junior High Shafter | 7.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Horizon Elementary Mcfarland | 7.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Central Valley High (Continuation) Shafter | 7.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Shafter High Shafter | 7.8 mi | 6.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Achieve Academy Oakland, CA | 8.0 |
| Ada W. Harris Elementary Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA | 8.0 |
| Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion Atherton, CA | 8.0 |
| Aviation Elementary Hawthorne, CA | 8.0 |
| Bay Park Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.0 |
| Bethune K-8 San Diego, CA | 8.0 |
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 ranks #1,652 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is James A. Forrest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James A. Forrest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 James A. Forrest Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James A. Forrest Elementary has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.3%
- Phone
- (661) 758-7490
Resources & Links
District
Wasco Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 3,473
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,524
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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