Needs Improvement
#9147 of 9,533 schools in CA
Pierce Elementary
Elementary School · Sierra Sands Unified
674 North Gold Canyon, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ridgecrest
#10 of 10
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,519 of 5,817
In district
#10 of 10
Sierra Sands Unified
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Pierce Elementary
Pierce Elementary is a rural public school located in Ridgecrest, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, Pierce Elementary has an enrollment of 318 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s setting near the town of Ridgecrest offers a close-knit community atmosphere where educators focus on building strong relationships with their students.
Pierce Elementary's academic performance is currently in need of improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and state ranking at #8797 out of 9566 schools in California. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 23% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is 19%. These scores suggest that Pierce Elementary is working hard to support its students' academic development.
Pierce Elementary stands as a community-focused school in a rural area, offering a nurturing environment for young learners.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pierce 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
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Pierce Elementary — Students at Pierce Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 2.3/10.
How Pierce Elementary Compares
See how Pierce Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 15.95% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 19.25% (2024).
Location
674 North Gold Canyon, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pierce Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ANN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Richmond Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ridgecrest, see our Ridgecrest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Burroughs High Ridgecrest | 0.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Murray Middle Ridgecrest | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| St. Thomas Ridgecrest | 0.7 mi | — |
| Richmond Elementary Ridgecrest | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Mesquite Continuation High Ridgecrest | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Gateway Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Ridgecrest Montessori Children's House Ridgecrest | 1.2 mi | — |
| Balas Montessori Home School Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | — |
| James Monroe Middle Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| St. Ann Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | — |
| ST ANN SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| RIDGECREST ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | — |
| Ridgecrest Adventist Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | — |
| Las Flores Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Long Point Academy Ridgecrest | 1.8 mi | — |
| Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci Ridgecrest | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| HERITAGE MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 2.1 mi | — |
| Calvary Christian School Ridgecrest | 2.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93555 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,141
Median Home Value
$235,400
Median Rent
$1,180/mo
Population
33,629
College Educated
30.5%
Homeownership
62.7%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
35.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pierce Elementary has a median household income of $84,141. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,400, with a median rent of $1,180/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Bess Maxwell Elementary Crescent City, CA | 3.7 |
| Birch Grove Primary Newark, CA | 3.7 |
| Coarsegold Elementary Coarsegold, CA | 3.7 |
| Curtis Creek Elementary Sonora, CA | 3.7 |
| Don Riggio Stockton, CA | 3.7 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (CHANGED THE NAME 6/15) Escondido, CA | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pierce Elementary
What grades does Pierce Elementary serve?
Pierce Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Pierce Elementary?
Pierce Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 318 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pierce Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pierce Elementary is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pierce Elementary rank in CA?
Pierce Elementary is ranked #9147 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Pierce Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pierce Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Pierce Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pierce Elementary has 18.8% math proficiency and 23.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pierce Elementary a charter school?
No, Pierce Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pierce Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pierce Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pierce Elementary?
81.1% of students at Pierce 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,757/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ridgecrest). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 318
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (760) 499-1670
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sierra Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 5,122
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,168
- District Rank
- #10 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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.
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