6.5 avg / 10

Best Schools in Shafter, California

10 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other

Last updated: July 2026

Public: 7

Private: 3

Districts: 3

Avg Rating: 6.5/10

Move-ready shortlistcity map + schools

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.

Explore the map How we rate schools

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Elementary · Richland Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Elementary · Maple Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

The short answer

The top-rated schools in Shafter for 2026 are Golden Oak Elementary (7.3/10), Sequoia Elementary (6.9/10), and Maple Elementary (6.9/10), 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.

Most improved · 2022 → 2024

Golden Oak Elementary

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 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.

#	School	Rating	Level	Value	State %ile
1	Golden Oak Elementary	7.3 / 10	Elementary	—	69th
2	Sequoia Elementary	6.9 / 10	Elementary	—	61th
3	Maple Elementary	6.9 / 10	Elementary	—	61th
4	Shafter High	6.7 / 10	High	—	57th
5	Richland Junior High	6.4 / 10	Middle	—	51th
6	Redwood Elementary	6.2 / 10	Elementary	—	47th
7	Central Valley High (continuation)	5.3 / 10	High	—	29th

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: 6.5/10
Median household income: $66,774
Median home value: $301,900
Bachelor's degree or higher: 11%
Avg commute: 22 min
Owner-occupied homes: 64%

How Shafter compares

California rank

#255 of 597

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

+0.3

above California avg (6.3)

Median household income

$67k

67% of California median

Schools in this city

7

About Schools in Shafter, California

Shafter, California is home to 10 schools, including 7 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.

With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Shafter show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.

The highest-performing school in Shafter is Golden Oak Elementary with a composite score of 7.3/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (10) Elementary (4) Middle (1) High (4)

Filter by Type: All Types (10) Public (7) Private (3)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (10) Academics (7) Growth (7) Diversity (7) Resources (7)

Filter by ZIP: 93263 (10)

Elementary Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Golden Oak Elementary 713 students · Kindergarten–6th	713	Kindergarten–6th	7.3
2	Sequoia Elementary 588 students · Kindergarten–6th	588	Kindergarten–6th	6.9
3	Maple Elementary 285 students · Kindergarten–8th	285	Kindergarten–8th	6.9
4	Redwood Elementary 637 students · Kindergarten–6th	637	Kindergarten–6th	6.2

Middle Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Richland Junior High 585 students · 7th–8th	585	7th–8th	6.4

High Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Shafter High 1,655 students · 9th–12th	1,655	9th–12th	6.7
2	Central Valley High (continuation) 95 students · 9th–12th	95	9th–12th	5.3
Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	Stage’s Family School Private 6 students · 2nd–12th	6	2nd–12th	—
2	Little Hands Academy Private 15 students · Kindergarten–12th	15	Kindergarten–12th	—

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Free Will Christian Academy Private 26 students · Kindergarten–12th	26	Kindergarten–12th	—

Schools in Shafter

Shafter, California · 10 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: 4
Other: 1

Resources

🔍 Google "Shafter schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Shafter 📊 Niche Shafter Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (3)

Kern High

25 schools · 43,116 students

Richland Union Elementary

4 schools · 2,523 students

Maple Elementary

1 school · 285 students

Nearby Cities

Wasco (13 schools)

8 mi

Mcfarland (7 schools)

12 mi

Tupman (1 school)

15 mi

Buttonwillow (1 school)

13 mi

Delano (19 schools)

19 mi

Bakersfield (183 schools)

17 mi

Richgrove (1 school)

23 mi

Allensworth (1 school)

25 mi

Earlimart (3 schools)

26 mi

Mckittrick (1 school)

Lost Hills (3 schools)

Other Major Cities in California

Top metros statewide by school count.

Los Angeles 928 schools San Diego 412 schools San Jose 335 schools San Francisco 297 schools Sacramento 273 schools

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 rate

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Shafter, California

How many schools are in Shafter, California?

Shafter has 10 schools, including 7 public and 3 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 6.5 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 Golden Oak Elementary with a composite score of 7.3/10.

What is the best elementary school in Shafter, California?

The top-ranked elementary school in Shafter on MySchoolScout is Golden Oak Elementary with a composite score of 7.3/10.

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 6.4/10.

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 6.7/10.

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 3 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 15.6:1. 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.