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Average

#6575 of 9,533 schools in CA

Rafer Johnson

Elementary School · Bakersfield City

1001 Tenth St., Bakersfield, CA 93304

Enrollment

43

Student-Teacher

8.6:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bakersfield

#68 of 145

public schools

California elementary schools

#3,897 of 5,817

In district

#19 of 44

Bakersfield City

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Rafer Johnson

Rafer Johnson is an alternative elementary school located in Bakersfield, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade with a total enrollment of just 43 students, the school offers a small and intimate learning environment. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, Rafer Johnson ensures that each child receives personalized attention from its five full-time equivalent teachers.

The academic performance at Rafer Johnson is currently rated as needing improvement, with MySchoolScout giving it a score of 3.2 out of 10 and ranking it at the 14th percentile among California schools. Students here are focusing on developing their foundational skills, with only 2% proficient in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math across all grade levels. While academic scores may be low, Rafer Johnson is dedicated to student development and providing a nurturing educational setting for its small community of learners.

The school's location in the heart of Bakersfield offers students access to city resources and cultural opportunities. Rafer Johnson stands out as a supportive learning environment within a large urban area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 43 students, Rafer Johnson 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 Rafer Johnson 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, Rafer Johnson offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics1.5Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency0%
Math vs. State Avg-33.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-47.3 pts
Overall Proficiency0%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-24.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,295

Rafer Johnson — Students at Rafer Johnson score 0% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 1.7%
School
State
34.8%
ELA Proficiency 1.7%
School
State
47.2%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2024

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.1/10.

How Rafer Johnson Compares

See how Rafer Johnson performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in CA
Academic
1.5/10
1.5/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

1001 Tenth St., Bakersfield, CA 93304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rafer Johnson may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Longfellow Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fremont Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
AGAPELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield 0.3 mi 4.0
Emerson Middle Bakersfield 0.4 mi 6.4
McKinley Elementary Bakersfield 0.5 mi 4.6
Kern County Special Education Bakersfield 0.6 mi 5.6
Kern County Community Bakersfield 0.6 mi 6.5
Kern County Juvenile Court Bakersfield 0.6 mi 6.1
Vista Continuation High Bakersfield 0.6 mi 7.0
Bakersfield High Bakersfield 0.6 mi 3.6
Downtown Elementary Bakersfield 0.8 mi 5.0
William Penn Elementary Bakersfield 0.8 mi 4.1
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Bakersfield 0.9 mi 6.2
Roosevelt Elementary Bakersfield 1.0 mi 5.4
Franklin Elementary Bakersfield 1.1 mi 4.9
St. Francis Bakersfield 1.0 mi
Fremont Elementary Bakersfield 1.1 mi 6.0
Sequoia Jr. High Bakersfield 1.3 mi 4.4
Bessie E. Owens Elementary Bakersfield 1.2 mi 5.1
Abraham Lincoln Jr. High Bakersfield 1.3 mi 3.7
Valley Oaks Charter Bakersfield 1.8 mi 7.0
Longfellow Elementary Bakersfield 1.7 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,627

Median Home Value

$228,800

Median Rent

$1,141/mo

Population

51,457

College Educated

11.1%

Homeownership

43.5%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

27.4%

Median Age

29.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rafer Johnson has a median household income of $51,627. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,800, with a median rent of $1,141/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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
ECHO RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nevada City, CA 5.5
KING OF KINGS LUTHERAN Garden Grove, CA 5.5
MT ERIE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego, CA 5.5
SIMI VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Simi Valley, CA 5.5
Trust Blended Learning Spring Valley, CA 5.5
Alisal Virtual Academy Salinas, CA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rafer Johnson

What grades does Rafer Johnson serve?

Rafer Johnson serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Rafer Johnson?

Rafer Johnson has an enrollment of approximately 43 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rafer Johnson?

The student-teacher ratio at Rafer Johnson is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rafer Johnson rank in CA?

Rafer Johnson is ranked #6575 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Rafer Johnson's MySchoolScout rating?

Rafer Johnson has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Rafer Johnson?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rafer Johnson has 1.7% math proficiency and 1.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rafer Johnson a charter school?

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

Is Rafer Johnson a Title I school?

No, Rafer Johnson is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rafer Johnson?

88.4% of students at Rafer Johnson 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

City Safety
High (3,028/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.4%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Kern County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bakersfield City
District Enrollment
28,761
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,155
District Rank
#19 of 44

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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