Pierce Elementary

Ridgecrest sits out in the high desert of Kern County, a small military and aerospace community anchored by Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake — and Pierce Elementary reflects that working-class, tight-knit character. Scoring around the 25th percentile statewide, it's a school where families in this close community make it work, though those prioritizing top academic metrics may want to weigh their options carefully. Families who value a smaller desert town lifestyle, with wide open spaces and a strong sense of local identity, will find Pierce to be a familiar neighborhood school in the heart of that community.