Needs Improvement
#8774 of 9,539 schools in CA
Joshua Tree Elementary
Elementary School · Morongo Unified
PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,774 of 9,539
In Twentynine Palms
#11 of 15
public schools
In district
#12 of 16
Morongo Unified
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Joshua Tree Elementary
Elementary School in Twentynine Palms · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Friendly Hills Elementary
3.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Black Rock Alternative/continuation
4.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Joshua Tree Elementary
Joshua Tree Elementary is a public elementary school in Twentynine Palms, CA, part of Morongo Unified. Joshua Tree Elementary serves approximately 260 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 23.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Joshua Tree Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #8,774 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Joshua Tree Elementary show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.1
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Joshua Tree Elementary runs 23.6:1 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.
Joshua Tree 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.
48% of students at Joshua Tree 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Joshua Tree Elementary — Students at Joshua Tree Elementary score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.0/10.
How Joshua Tree Elementary Compares
See how Joshua Tree Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joshua Tree Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Friendly Hills Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Landers Elementary (rated 4.9/10, 10.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Condor Elementary (rated 4.3/10, 15.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Twentynine Palms, see our Twentynine Palms schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Friendly Hills Elementary Twentynine Palms | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Black Rock Alternative/Continuation Twentynine Palms | 4.3 mi | 5.3 |
| La Contenta Middle Twenty Nine Palms | 4.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Yucca Mesa Elementary Twentynine Palms | 4.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Onaga Elementary Twentynine Palms | 6.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Kuhlman Academy Yucca Valley | 7.0 mi | — |
| CUSTODIO HOME ACADEMY Yucca Valley | 6.7 mi | — |
| Joshua Springs Academy Yucca Valley | 7.4 mi | — |
| Yucca Valley High Twentynine Palms | 7.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Yucca Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms | 8.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Landers Elementary Twentynine Palms | 10.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Twentynine Palms High Twentynine Palms | 13.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Oasis Elementary Twentynine Palms | 14.0 mi | 2.4 |
| Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 17.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Apostolic Christian Academy Twentynine Palms | 15.4 mi | — |
| Twentynine Palms Elementary Twentynine Palms | 15.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Condor Elementary Twentynine Palms | 15.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Twentynine Palms Junior High Twentynine Palms | 15.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Palm Vista Elementary Twentynine Palms | 15.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 17.2 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92277 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,515
Median Home Value
$224,300
Median Rent
$1,267/mo
Population
27,742
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
42.4%
Avg Commute
18.9 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
27.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| August Schilling Elementary Newark, CA | 3.8 |
| Brook Hill Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 3.8 |
| Burney Elementary Burney, CA | 3.8 |
| Cedarwood Elementary Magalia, CA | 3.8 |
| Commonwealth Elementary Fullerton, CA | 3.8 |
| Lynwood Elementary Novato, CA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joshua Tree Elementary
What grades does Joshua Tree Elementary serve?
Joshua Tree Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Joshua Tree Elementary?
Joshua Tree Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 260 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joshua Tree Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Joshua Tree Elementary is 23.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joshua Tree Elementary rank in CA?
Joshua Tree Elementary ranks #8,774 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Joshua Tree Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Joshua Tree Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Tree Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Joshua Tree Elementary has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Joshua Tree Elementary a charter school?
No, Joshua Tree Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joshua Tree Elementary a Title I school?
No, Joshua Tree Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joshua Tree Elementary?
86.2% of students at Joshua Tree 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 260
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- San Bernardino County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 48.1%
- Phone
- (760) 366-8459
Resources & Links
District
Morongo Unified- District Enrollment
- 7,359
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,247
- District Rank
- #12 of 16
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