Average
#5733 of 9,533 schools in CA
Piute Mountain Elementary
Elementary School · Caliente Union Elementary
12400 Caliente Creek Rd., Caliente, CA 93518
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#3,453 of 5,817
About Piute Mountain Elementary
Piute Mountain Elementary is a small rural school located in Caliente, California. Situated along Caliente Creek Road, the school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of just 52 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 26 to 1. Despite its size, Piute Mountain Elementary has two full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education in a remote area.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10, with an academic score of 3.0 out of 10, placing it at the 24th percentile among schools in California. In terms of standardized test scores, only 36% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while just 15% are proficient or above in math. While these numbers indicate room for academic growth, Piute Mountain Elementary is focused on nurturing its students' development and providing them with a supportive learning environment.
The school's setting in a remote rural area means that it plays an essential role as the primary educational hub for the community, offering personalized attention to each student within this close-knit neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 52 students, Piute Mountain Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Piute Mountain Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Piute Mountain Elementary is 26:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
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Piute Mountain Elementary — Students at Piute Mountain Elementary score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Piute Mountain Elementary Compares
See how Piute Mountain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 12.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 32.56% (2024).
Location
12400 Caliente Creek Rd., Caliente, CA 93518
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Piute Mountain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kernville Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 28.5 miles away, in nearby Lake Isabella), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Fork Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Weldon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cummings Valley Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Tehachapi), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Caliente, see our Caliente schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tehachapi Independent Learning Academy Tehachapi | 15.3 mi | 5.3 |
| EPIC de Cesar Chavez Tehachapi | 15.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Jacobsen Middle Tehachapi | 15.5 mi | 3.6 |
| Tehachapi High Tehachapi | 15.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Monroe High (Continuation) Tehachapi | 15.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Tompkins Elementary Tehachapi | 16.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Golden Hills Elementary Tehachapi | 16.2 mi | 3.8 |
| HERITAGE OAK SCHOOL Tehachapi | 17.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Kern Valley High Lake Isabella | 18.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Woodrow W. Wallace Elementary Lake Isabella | 18.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Woodrow Wallace Middle Lake Isabella | 18.9 mi | 5.3 |
| St John Bosco Tehachapi | 17.2 mi | — |
| Cummings Valley Elementary Tehachapi | 18.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Mountain Top Ranch Tehachapi | 18.2 mi | — |
| South Fork Elementary Weldon | 21.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Covenant Christian School Tehachapi | 20.8 mi | — |
| Mojave Elementary Mojave | 23.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Mojave Jr./Sr. High Mojave | 23.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Kernville Elementary Lake Isabella | 28.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Di Giorgio Elementary Arvin | 24.2 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93518 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,095
Median Home Value
$268,400
Median Rent
$1,384/mo
Population
1,115
College Educated
36.5%
Homeownership
86.9%
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Median Age
51.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Piute Mountain Elementary has a median household income of $63,095. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $268,400, with a median rent of $1,384/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DIVINE SAVIOUR SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA | 5.9 |
| GLENDALE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Glendale, CA | 5.9 |
| HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ridgecrest, CA | 5.9 |
| HICKORY TREE SCHOOL Torrance, CA | 5.9 |
| Homestead (Alternative) Ventura, CA | 5.9 |
| IRVINE HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Santa Ana, CA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Piute Mountain Elementary
What grades does Piute Mountain Elementary serve?
Piute Mountain Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Piute Mountain Elementary?
Piute Mountain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Piute Mountain Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Piute Mountain Elementary is 26:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Piute Mountain Elementary rank in CA?
Piute Mountain Elementary is ranked #5733 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Piute Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Piute Mountain Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Piute Mountain Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Piute Mountain Elementary has 15.3% math proficiency and 35.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Piute Mountain Elementary a charter school?
No, Piute Mountain Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Piute Mountain Elementary a Title I school?
No, Piute Mountain Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Piute Mountain Elementary?
78.8% of students at Piute Mountain 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,155/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 52
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 867-2301
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Caliente Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 52
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,797
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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 methodologyRelated reading
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