Excellent
#1426 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 15% in state
South Fork Elementary
Elementary School · South Fork Union
5225 Kelso Valley Rd., Weldon, CA 93283
Enrollment
340
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
340
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#1,013 of 5,817
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About South Fork Elementary
South Fork Elementary is a rural public school in Weldon, California, serving kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 340 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, South Fork provides personalized attention in its remote setting. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 20 full-time equivalent teachers who work to foster a supportive learning environment.
South Fork Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks at the 66th percentile among California schools, with room for academic growth according to recent data. The school's proficiency rates show that 40% of students meet or exceed standards in ELA/Reading and 30% do so in Math. South Fork Elementary is situated in a remote rural area, offering students the unique experience of learning within a close-knit community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Fork 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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South Fork Elementary — Students at South Fork Elementary score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.
How South Fork Elementary Compares
See how South Fork Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 31.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 40% (2024).
Location
5225 Kelso Valley Rd., Weldon, CA 93283
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Fork Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Inyokern Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 25.8 miles away, in nearby Inyokern), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Kernville Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Lake Isabella), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Piute Mountain Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Caliente), a more accessible option. For more schools in Weldon, see our Weldon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
11 within 40.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kernville Elementary Lake Isabella | 11.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Kern Valley High Lake Isabella | 11.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Woodrow W. Wallace Elementary Lake Isabella | 11.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Woodrow Wallace Middle Lake Isabella | 11.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Piute Mountain Elementary Caliente | 21.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Linns Valley-Poso Flat Elementary Glennville | 24.8 mi | — |
| Inyokern Elementary Inyokern | 25.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Hot Springs Elementary California Hot Springs | 28.6 mi | — |
| St John Bosco Tehachapi | 37.1 mi | — |
| Mountain Top Ranch Tehachapi | 38.7 mi | — |
| Covenant Christian School Tehachapi | 40.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93283 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,100
Median Home Value
$143,900
Median Rent
$1,007/mo
Population
2,129
College Educated
6.7%
Homeownership
82.1%
Poverty Rate
35%
Median Age
57.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Fork Elementary has a median household income of $33,100. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,900, with a median rent of $1,007/month. The area has a poverty rate of 35.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anna A. Borba Fundamental Elementary Chino, CA | 8.0 |
| Betty Plasencia Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.0 |
| Birdielee V. Bright Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.0 |
| Bixby Elementary Hacienda Heights, CA | 8.0 |
| Brookhaven Elementary Placentia, CA | 8.0 |
| Capistrano Avenue Elementary West Hills, CA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Fork Elementary
What grades does South Fork Elementary serve?
South Fork Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend South Fork Elementary?
South Fork Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 340 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Fork Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Fork Elementary is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Fork Elementary rank in CA?
South Fork Elementary is ranked #1426 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is South Fork Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Fork Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 South Fork Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Fork Elementary has 30.0% math proficiency and 39.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Fork Elementary a charter school?
No, South Fork Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Fork Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Fork Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Fork Elementary?
77.1% of students at South Fork 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 340
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (760) 378-4000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Fork Union- District Enrollment
- 340
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,488
- 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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