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Needs Improvement

#8939 of 9,539 schools in CA

Onaga Elementary

Elementary School · Morongo Unified

PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Enrollment

622

Student-Teacher

24.9:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,939 of 9,539

In Twentynine Palms

#13 of 15

public schools

In district

#14 of 16

Morongo Unified

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Onaga Elementary

3.6/10

Elementary School in Twentynine Palms · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kuhlman Academy

Nearby

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

Joshua Springs Academy

Nearby

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

About Onaga Elementary

Onaga Elementary is a public elementary school in Twentynine Palms, CA, part of Morongo Unified. Onaga Elementary serves approximately 622 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 24.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Onaga Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #8,939 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Onaga Elementary show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.1
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Onaga Elementary runs 24.9:1 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.

30% of students at Onaga 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 Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-25.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.7 pts
Overall Proficiency25% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,247
Chronic Absenteeism30.4%

Onaga Elementary — Students at Onaga Elementary score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 40.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 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
58%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
55%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
28%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
18.7%
ELA
37.3%
2024
Math
20%
ELA
29.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.4/10.

How Onaga Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
6th percentile in CA
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

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

PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Onaga Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Two Bunch Palms Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Desert Hot Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Friendly Hills Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Morongo Valley Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 11.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Twentynine Palms, see our Twentynine Palms schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Kuhlman Academy Yucca Valley 0.9 mi
Joshua Springs Academy Yucca Valley 1.3 mi
Yucca Valley High Twentynine Palms 1.5 mi 5.2
La Contenta Middle Twenty Nine Palms 1.7 mi 4.6
CUSTODIO HOME ACADEMY Yucca Valley 1.8 mi
Black Rock Alternative/Continuation Twentynine Palms 1.9 mi 5.3
Yucca Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms 3.0 mi 4.0
Friendly Hills Elementary Twentynine Palms 3.6 mi 5.7
Yucca Mesa Elementary Twentynine Palms 5.5 mi 4.1
Joshua Tree Elementary Twentynine Palms 6.2 mi 3.8
Landers Elementary Twentynine Palms 10.9 mi 4.9
Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs 11.7 mi 3.0
Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs 11.2 mi 3.7
Painted Hills Middle Desert Hot Springs 11.3 mi 6.0
Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs 11.9 mi 5.3
Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs 12.2 mi 7.1
Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs 12.7 mi 4.8
Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs 13.0 mi 4.5
Morongo Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms 11.4 mi 5.7
Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs 13.1 mi 5.8

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
Anaverde Hills Palmdale, CA 3.6
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary Modesto, CA 3.6
Buena Vista Elementary Palmdale, CA 3.6
Cerra Vista Elementary Hollister, CA 3.6
Discovery Lancaster, CA 3.6
Dool Elementary Calexico, CA 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Onaga Elementary

What grades does Onaga Elementary serve?

Onaga Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Onaga Elementary?

Onaga Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 622 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Onaga Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Onaga Elementary is 24.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Onaga Elementary rank in CA?

Onaga Elementary ranks #8,939 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Onaga Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Onaga Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Onaga Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Onaga Elementary has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Onaga Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Onaga Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

59.8% of students at Onaga 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
San Bernardino County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

District

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

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