Photo: JMBeggs'nCali · CC BY-SA 4.0Ridgecrest’s public schools score below 58% of California districts on tests and graduation
25% of students in Ridgecrest’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ridgecrest, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Ridgecrest’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 592 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ridgecrest’s, its schools beat 28%, lower than their 42% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $16,729 per student in FY2024, against $21,206 across California. 34% of its revenue that year was federal (California 11%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci, Immanuel Christian School (private), St. Ann School (private), Heritage Montessori Elementary School (private), Ridgecrest Adventist Elementary (private) and Our Saviors Lutheran School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Ridgecrest’s grade
C+: better than 42% of California school districts, #593 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ridgecrest, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Ridgecrest · depends on your address
Murray Middle
Grades 6–8 · 643 students · 22:1 students per teacher
James Monroe Middle
Grades 6–8 · 490 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Ridgecrest · depends on your address
Murray Middle
Grades 6–8 · 643 students · 22:1 students per teacher
James Monroe Middle
Grades 6–8 · 490 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Ridgecrest · depends on your address
Murray Middle
Grades 6–8 · 643 students · 22:1 students per teacher
James Monroe Middle
Grades 6–8 · 490 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Ridgecrest
Burroughs High
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Ridgecrest
Burroughs High
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Ridgecrest
Burroughs High
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Ridgecrest
Burroughs High
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Ridgecrest’s public schools are run by Sierra Sands Unified School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Ridgecrest vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Ridgecrest’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ridgecrest | C+ | Sierra Sands Unified |
Every school in Ridgecrest
15 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Sierra Vista Education Center, High Desert, Vieweg STEM Academy and Opportunities for Learning - Ridgecrest).
Questions about Ridgecrest’s schools
Are Ridgecrest’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ridgecrest children attend score below 58% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #593 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ridgecrest in?
Sierra Sands Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 4,974 students in 10 schools (2024–25).
Where do Ridgecrest kids go to high school?
Burroughs High, with 1,536 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Ridgecrest’s graduation rate?
78% of the class of 2023 in Sierra Sands Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Ridgecrest spend per student?
$16,729 in Sierra Sands Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ridgecrest?
Yes: Immanuel Christian School (religious, grades 1–12, 142 students), St. Ann School (Catholic, grades K–8, 115 students), Heritage Montessori Elementary School (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 93 students), Ridgecrest Adventist Elementary (religious, grades K–7, 16 students) and Our Saviors Lutheran School (religious, grades K–9, 8 students). Ridgecrest also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Ridgecrest families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ridgecrest → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.