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Very Good

#2293 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 24% in state

Joshua Tree Elementary

Elementary School · Morongo Unified

PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Enrollment

260

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Twentynine Palms

#2 of 15

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,572 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 16

Morongo Unified

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Joshua Tree Elementary

Joshua Tree Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Twentynine Palms, California. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 260 students with a student-teacher ratio of 23.6:1. With 11 full-time equivalent teachers, Joshua Tree Elementary offers a supportive learning environment that focuses on individual attention and growth.

The academic performance at Joshua Tree Elementary is currently rated at 5.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 48th percentile among California schools. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 30%, while Math proficiency rates are at 20%. These scores indicate that there is room for improvement and growth in academic achievement.

Joshua Tree Elementary is situated in a rural area near the town of Twentynine Palms, providing students with a unique setting rich in natural beauty and community spirit. The school's location offers plenty of outdoor opportunities for learning and exploration, enhancing the educational experience beyond traditional classroom settings.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Joshua Tree Elementary is 23.6:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Joshua Tree Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.9%
Math vs. State Avg-23.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.9 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,757

Joshua Tree Elementary — Students at Joshua Tree Elementary score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 19.5%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 29.6%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
21.5%
ELA
31.6%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Joshua Tree Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
76th percentile in CA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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 8.4/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Palm Vista Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 15.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Landers Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 10.0 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 8.4
Black Rock Alternative/Continuation Twentynine Palms 4.3 mi 6.6
La Contenta Middle Twenty Nine Palms 4.5 mi 6.3
Yucca Mesa Elementary Twentynine Palms 4.9 mi 5.7
Onaga Elementary Twentynine Palms 6.2 mi 3.7
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 6.0
Yucca Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms 8.7 mi 5.4
Landers Elementary Twentynine Palms 10.0 mi 6.4
Twentynine Palms High Twentynine Palms 13.5 mi 6.1
Oasis Elementary Twentynine Palms 14.0 mi 4.4
Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs 17.0 mi 4.0
Apostolic Christian Academy Twentynine Palms 15.4 mi
Twentynine Palms Elementary Twentynine Palms 15.5 mi 6.2
Condor Elementary Twentynine Palms 15.6 mi 3.3
Twentynine Palms Junior High Twentynine Palms 15.6 mi 5.5
Palm Vista Elementary Twentynine Palms 15.7 mi 6.8
Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs 17.2 mi 5.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Joshua Tree Elementary has a median household income of $55,515. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,300, with a median rent of $1,267/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Angeles Mesa Elementary Los Angeles, CA 7.5
Aspen Valley Prep Academy Fresno, CA 7.5
BEECHWOOD SCHOOL Menlo Park, CA 7.5
Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego San Marcos, CA 7.5
CARLTHORP SCHOOL Santa Monica, CA 7.5
Corvallis Elementary San Leandro, CA 7.5

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 is ranked #2293 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Joshua Tree Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Joshua Tree Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Joshua Tree Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joshua Tree Elementary has 19.5% math proficiency and 29.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,211/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Twentynine Palms). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Morongo Unified
District Enrollment
7,359
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,247
District Rank
#2 of 16

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 methodology

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