Needs Improvement
#9263 of 9,539 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
3.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,263 of 9,539
In Ridgecrest
#10 of 10
public schools
In district
#10 of 10
Sierra Sands Unified
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Pierce Elementary
Elementary School in Ridgecrest · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Burroughs High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Murray Middle
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pierce Elementary
Pierce Elementary is a public elementary school in Ridgecrest, CA, part of Sierra Sands Unified. Pierce Elementary serves approximately 318 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 19.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Pierce Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #9,263 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Pierce Elementary show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.6
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Pierce 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.
38% of students at Pierce 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
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 34 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: 1.7/10.
How Pierce Elementary Compares
See how Pierce Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 5.9/10, 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 | 6.3 |
| Murray Middle Ridgecrest | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| St. Thomas Ridgecrest | 0.7 mi | — |
| Richmond Elementary Ridgecrest | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Mesquite Continuation High Ridgecrest | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| 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 | 4.3 |
| 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 | 5.0 |
| Long Point Academy Ridgecrest | 1.8 mi | — |
| Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci Ridgecrest | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ararat Charter Van Nuys, CA | 3.1 |
| Belle Air Elementary San Bruno, CA | 3.1 |
| Belshaw Elementary Antioch, CA | 3.1 |
| Central Elementary Imperial Beach, CA | 3.1 |
| D. H. White Elementary Rio Vista, CA | 3.1 |
| Esperanza Elementary Oakland, CA | 3.1 |
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 ranks #9,263 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Pierce Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pierce Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Pierce Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pierce Elementary has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.4%
- Phone
- (760) 499-1670
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
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