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
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Rafer Johnson — Students at Rafer Johnson score 0% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
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.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 0% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 0% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (661) 631-5445
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #19 of 44
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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