Below Average
#8469 of 9,539 schools in CA
Yucca Mesa Elementary
Elementary School · Morongo Unified
PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,469 of 9,539
In Twentynine Palms
#9 of 15
public schools
In district
#10 of 16
Morongo Unified
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Yucca Mesa Elementary
Elementary School in Twentynine Palms · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Black Rock Alternative/continuation
4.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Custodio Home Academy
4.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Yucca Mesa Elementary
Yucca Mesa Elementary is a public elementary school in Twentynine Palms, CA, part of Morongo Unified. Yucca Mesa Elementary serves approximately 389 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 22.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Yucca Mesa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #8,469 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Yucca Mesa Elementary show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- District avg 4.1
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Yucca Mesa Elementary runs 22.9:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Yucca Mesa 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.
37% of students at Yucca Mesa 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
Yucca Mesa Elementary — Students at Yucca Mesa Elementary score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 38 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: 3.0/10.
How Yucca Mesa Elementary Compares
See how Yucca Mesa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Yucca Mesa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Two Bunch Palms Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Desert Hot Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Friendly Hills Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Morongo Valley Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 14.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Twentynine Palms, see our Twentynine Palms schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Black Rock Alternative/Continuation Twentynine Palms | 4.5 mi | 5.3 |
| CUSTODIO HOME ACADEMY Yucca Valley | 4.6 mi | — |
| La Contenta Middle Twenty Nine Palms | 4.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Onaga Elementary Twentynine Palms | 5.5 mi | 3.6 |
| Joshua Tree Elementary Twentynine Palms | 4.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Yucca Valley High Twentynine Palms | 5.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Friendly Hills Elementary Twentynine Palms | 5.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Landers Elementary Twentynine Palms | 5.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Kuhlman Academy Yucca Valley | 6.4 mi | — |
| Joshua Springs Academy Yucca Valley | 6.7 mi | — |
| Yucca Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms | 6.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Morongo Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms | 14.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 16.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Painted Hills Middle Desert Hot Springs | 16.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 17.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 17.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs | 17.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs | 18.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 18.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 18.3 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92277 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,515
Median Home Value
$224,300
Median Rent
$1,267/mo
Population
27,742
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
42.4%
Avg Commute
18.9 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
27.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anderson (Alex) Elementary San Jose, CA | 4.1 |
| Aspire Summit Charter Academy Oakland, CA | 4.1 |
| Berylwood Elementary Simi Valley, CA | 4.1 |
| Casa de Oro Elementary La Mesa, CA | 4.1 |
| Christine Sipherd Elementary Modesto, CA | 4.1 |
| Craig Williams Elementary Bellflower, CA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Yucca Mesa Elementary
What grades does Yucca Mesa Elementary serve?
Yucca Mesa Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Yucca Mesa Elementary?
Yucca Mesa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 389 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Yucca Mesa Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Yucca Mesa Elementary is 22.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Yucca Mesa Elementary rank in CA?
Yucca Mesa Elementary ranks #8,469 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Yucca Mesa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Yucca Mesa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Yucca Mesa Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Yucca Mesa Elementary has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Yucca Mesa Elementary a charter school?
No, Yucca Mesa Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Yucca Mesa Elementary a Title I school?
No, Yucca Mesa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Yucca Mesa Elementary?
64.5% of students at Yucca Mesa 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 389
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- San Bernardino County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.8%
- Phone
- (760) 228-1777
Resources & Links
District
Morongo Unified- District Enrollment
- 7,359
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,247
- District Rank
- #10 of 16
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