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Needs Improvement

#8866 of 9,539 schools in CA

Joshua Hills Elementary

Elementary School · Palmdale Elementary

3030 Fairfield, Palmdale, CA 93550

Enrollment

559

Student-Teacher

25.4:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,866 of 9,539

In Palmdale

#36 of 43

public schools

In district

#26 of 29

Palmdale Elementary

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Joshua Hills Elementary

3.7/10

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

Desert Willow Fine Arts Sci and Tech Magnet Acad

5.6/10

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

Barrel Springs Elementary

6.2/10

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

About Joshua Hills Elementary

Joshua Hills Elementary is a public elementary school in Palmdale, CA, part of Palmdale Elementary. Joshua Hills Elementary serves approximately 559 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 25.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Joshua Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #8,866 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Joshua Hills Elementary show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.1
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Joshua Hills Elementary runs 25.4:1 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 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-32.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.1 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,861
Chronic Absenteeism29.2%

Joshua Hills Elementary — Students at Joshua Hills Elementary score 15% 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

93.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 27.4% (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
52%
ELA
39%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
35%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
39%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
23%
ELA
25%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
22.1%
2024
Math
13.4%
ELA
17%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.6/10.

How Joshua Hills Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
7th percentile in CA
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

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

3030 Fairfield, Palmdale, CA 93550

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joshua Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oak Tree Community Day (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Yellen Learning Center (rated 6.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Barrel Springs Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palmdale, see our Palmdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Desert Willow Fine Arts Sci and Tech Magnet Acad Palmdale 0.6 mi 5.6
Barrel Springs Elementary Palmdale 0.8 mi 6.2
Cactus Medical Health and Technology Magnet Academy Palmdale 1.0 mi 6.3
Innovations Academy of Palmdale Palmdale 0.9 mi 6.2
Desert Rose Elementary Palmdale 1.1 mi 4.7
Il Giardino Montessori Palmdale 1.5 mi
Shepherd Christian School Palmdale 1.3 mi
Oak Tree Community Day Palmdale 1.7 mi 7.2
Palmdale Academy Charter Palmdale 1.6 mi 5.7
Palmdale High Palmdale 1.7 mi 3.8
Cimarron Elementary Palmdale 1.5 mi 2.9
Mesquite Elementary Palmdale 1.6 mi 4.9
Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Academy Palmdale 1.8 mi 5.8
Palmdale Aerospace Academy Palmdale 1.9 mi 5.9
St. Mary Elementary Catholic Palmdale 1.8 mi
Antelope Valley Learning Academy Lancaster 1.9 mi 3.9
Manzanita Elementary Palmdale 2.2 mi 4.4
Yellen Learning Center Palmdale 2.0 mi 6.4
Tamarisk Elementary Palmdale 2.4 mi 6.0
Chaparral Prep Academy Palmdale 2.2 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93550 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,811

Median Home Value

$378,700

Median Rent

$1,573/mo

Population

79,929

College Educated

10%

Homeownership

52.8%

Avg Commute

42.2 min

Poverty Rate

19.7%

Median Age

31.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alexander Hamilton Elementary Stockton, CA 3.7
Almond Elementary Fontana, CA 3.7
Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs, CA 3.7
Campo Elementary Campo, CA 3.7
Carmen Dragon Elementary Antioch, CA 3.7
Carriage Drive Elementary Citrus Heights, CA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joshua Hills Elementary

What grades does Joshua Hills Elementary serve?

Joshua Hills Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Joshua Hills Elementary?

Joshua Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 559 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joshua Hills Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Joshua Hills Elementary is 25.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joshua Hills Elementary rank in CA?

Joshua Hills Elementary ranks #8,866 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Joshua Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Joshua Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Hills Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joshua Hills Elementary has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Joshua Hills Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Joshua Hills Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

93.4% of students at Joshua Hills 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
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

District

Palmdale Elementary
District Enrollment
17,935
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,861
District Rank
#26 of 29

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