Best Schools in Shafter, California
9 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Shafter?
Use this page to compare every school in Shafter by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Maple Elementary
Elementary · Maple Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Richland Junior High
Middle · Richland Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sequoia Elementary
Elementary · Richland Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Shafter for 2026 are Maple Elementary (8.7/10), Richland Junior High (7.4/10), and Sequoia Elementary (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$301,900
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$301,900
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +11.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Shafter schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Shafter
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maple Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Richland Junior High | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Sequoia Elementary | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Shafter High | 5.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Redwood Elementary | 5.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Golden Oak Elementary | 5.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Central Valley High (continuation) | 4.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $66,774
- Median home value
- $301,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
43% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Shafter compares
California rank
#351 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$67k
67% of California median
Schools in this city
7
Shafter's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns Shafter. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Richland Union Elementary (4), Kern High (2), Maple Elementary (1).
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.3 to 8.7 — the spread is inside Shafter, not a citywide average.
- Richland Union Elementary4 public · 57%
- Kern High2 public · 29%
- Maple Elementary1 public · 14%
About Schools in Shafter, California
Shafter, California is home to 9 schools, including 7 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Shafter show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Shafter is Maple Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Shafter is served by 3 school districts: Kern High, Richland Union Elementary, Maple Elementary. These districts collectively serve 45,924 students.
Shafter's community shows 11% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $66,774. The poverty rate in the area is 22.5%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 285 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.7 |
| 2 | 588 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.2 |
| 3 | 637 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.4 |
| 4 | 713 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.0 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 585 students · 7th–8th | 7.4 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,655 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 | ||
| 2 | 95 students · 9th–12th | 4.3 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Little Hands AcademyPrivate 23 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free Will Christian AcademyPrivate 20 students · Kindergarten–11th | Not Rated |
Schools in Shafter
Shafter, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$66,774
Median Home Value
$301,900
Median Rent
$1,182/mo
Population
23,423
College Educated
11%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
22.5%
Community Profile
Shafter has a median household income of $66,774. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $301,900, with a median rent of $1,182/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Shafter, California
How many schools are in Shafter, California?
Shafter has 9 schools, including 7 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Shafter, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Shafter is 6.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Shafter, California?
The top-ranked school in Shafter on MySchoolScout is Maple Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Shafter, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Shafter on MySchoolScout is Maple Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Shafter, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Shafter on MySchoolScout is Richland Junior High with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best high school in Shafter, California?
The top-ranked high school in Shafter on MySchoolScout is Shafter High with a composite score of 5.6/10.
How many school districts serve Shafter, California?
Shafter is served by 3 school districts: Kern High, Richland Union Elementary, Maple Elementary.
What is the education level in Shafter, California?
According to Census data, 11% of adults in Shafter have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Shafter, California?
The median household income in Shafter is approximately $66,774 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Shafter, California?
Yes, Shafter has 2 private schools alongside 7 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Shafter, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Shafter is 16.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Shafter, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.