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Needs Improvement

#9340 of 9,539 schools in CA

Joshua Elementary

Elementary School · Lancaster Elementary

43926 North Second St. East, Lancaster, CA 93535

Enrollment

574

Student-Teacher

27.3:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,340 of 9,539

In Lancaster

#44 of 47

public schools

In district

#21 of 22

Lancaster Elementary

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Joshua Elementary

2.9/10

Elementary School in Lancaster · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Elm/kwa Private Christian School

Nearby

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

Ilead Lancaster Charter

6.0/10

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

About Joshua Elementary

Joshua Elementary is a public elementary school in Lancaster, CA, part of Lancaster Elementary. Joshua Elementary serves approximately 574 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 27.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Joshua Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #9,340 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Joshua Elementary show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Joshua Elementary runs 27.3:1 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.

61% of students at Joshua 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 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency9.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-42.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.3 pts
Overall Proficiency6% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-15.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment1.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,710
Chronic Absenteeism60.6%

Joshua Elementary — Students at Joshua Elementary score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 13.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 15.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 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
34%
ELA
28%
2010
Math
36%
ELA
31%
2011
Math
36%
ELA
36%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
26%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2016
Math
8%
ELA
13%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
11%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
9.1%
2024
Math
4.1%
ELA
9.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.

How Joshua Elementary Compares

See how Joshua Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
2th percentile in CA
Academic
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

43926 North Second St. East, Lancaster, CA 93535

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joshua Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Life Source International Charter (rated 6.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is iLEAD Lancaster Charter (rated 6.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sierra Elementary (rated 4.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ELM/KWA PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lancaster 0.6 mi
iLEAD Lancaster Charter Lancaster 0.7 mi 6.0
El Dorado Elementary Lancaster 0.7 mi 3.5
Journey Int'l Cultural STEAM Academy Lancaster 0.7 mi
Life Source International Charter Lancaster 0.8 mi 6.2
New Vista Middle Lancaster 0.8 mi 3.7
Assurance Learning Academy Lancaster 0.9 mi 3.7
EMPOWERED CHURCH INTERNATIONAL/ LEARNING ACADEMY Lancaster 0.9 mi
Mission Academy Lancaster 1.0 mi 3.6
Holston Academy Lancaster 1.1 mi
STANZA INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Lancaster 1.1 mi
STANZA INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Lancaster 1.1 mi
Fulton and Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering Lancaster 1.0 mi 4.5
Jack Northrop Elementary Lancaster 1.0 mi 3.9
RISE Lancaster 1.0 mi
The Leadership Academy Lancaster 1.0 mi 3.0
Sierra Elementary Lancaster 1.0 mi 4.3
Antelope Valley High Lancaster 1.3 mi 5.1
Empower Generations Lancaster 1.1 mi 3.0
Seton, Inc. Lancaster 1.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93535 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,989

Median Home Value

$336,200

Median Rent

$1,650/mo

Population

80,478

College Educated

14.2%

Homeownership

65%

Avg Commute

33.5 min

Poverty Rate

15.6%

Median Age

31.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bel Air Elementary Bay Point, CA 2.9
Cameron Ranch Elementary Carmichael, CA 2.9
Carmichael (Bessie)/FEC San Francisco, CA 2.9
Cimarron Elementary Palmdale, CA 2.9
Eagle Ranch Elementary Adelanto, CA 2.9
Eliot Elementary Gilroy, CA 2.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joshua Elementary

What grades does Joshua Elementary serve?

Joshua Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Joshua Elementary?

Joshua Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 574 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joshua Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Joshua Elementary is 27.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joshua Elementary rank in CA?

Joshua Elementary ranks #9,340 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Joshua Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Joshua Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Joshua Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joshua Elementary has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Joshua Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Joshua Elementary a Title I school?

No, Joshua Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joshua Elementary?

93.7% of students at Joshua 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
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
574
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.6%

District

Lancaster Elementary
District Enrollment
13,832
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,710
District Rank
#21 of 22

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