Golden Plains Unified School District
School District · San Joaquin, California
Avg Rating
7.0
out of 10
Schools
6
4 elem, 2 high
Enrollment
1,388
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Avg Rating
7.0
out of 10
Schools
6
4 elem, 2 high
Enrollment
1,388
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
How this district compares
California rank
#124 of 713
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.7
above California avg
Per-pupil spending
$20,627
+$2,980 vs California median
District size
1,388 students
Smaller than California median
The short answer
Golden Plains Unified ranks #124 of 713 California districts by overall school rating. Golden Plains Unified's schools with real test data average 7.0/10 across 5 schools. Its top-rated schools are Helm Elementary (8.3/10), Tranquillity High (7.8/10), and Tranquillity Elementary (7.6/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
STAAR proficiency rose +8.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Golden Plains Unified schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Golden Plains Unified
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helm Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Tranquillity High | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Tranquillity Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Cantua Elementary | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | San Joaquin Elementary | 4.3 / 10 |
See all 6 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Golden Plains Unified
Golden Plains Unified is a San Joaquin, California school district serving 6 schools.The district educates 1,388 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1. District-level spending was $20,627 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 7.0/10, Golden Plains Unified is among the strongest-performing districts in the state.
The highest-rated school in the district is Helm Elementary, which has a composite score of 8.3/10.
In standardized testing, Golden Plains Unified students show an average math proficiency of 22.3% and ELA proficiency of 26.2%.
The district includes 4 elementary schools, and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Golden Plains Unified, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Golden Plains Unified with test data.
Schools in Golden Plains Unified
6 schoolsDistrict Details
- State
- California
- City
- San Joaquin
- Total Enrollment
- 1,388
- Teachers (FTE)
- 82
- District spending per student
- $20,627NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 10.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Golden Plains Unified?
Golden Plains Unified has 6 schools in total — 4 elementary, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Golden Plains Unified?
The average composite rating for Golden Plains Unified is 7.0/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Golden Plains Unified?
Golden Plains Unified's district-level spending was $20,627 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Golden Plains Unified?
The average student-teacher ratio in Golden Plains Unified is 16.9:1.
What is the top-rated school in Golden Plains Unified?
Helm Elementary is the highest-rated school in Golden Plains Unified with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What are the test scores in Golden Plains Unified?
Across schools in Golden Plains Unified with test data, the average math proficiency is 22.3% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 26.2%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Golden Plains Unified compare to other districts in California?
Golden Plains Unified has an average school rating of 7.0/10 across 6 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in California by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 7.0/10
- Math Proficiency
- 22.3%
- ELA Proficiency
- 26.2%
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 rateOther School Districts in CA
Compare Golden Plains Unified with neighboring districts in the state.
- Los Angeles Unified (785)
- San Diego Unified (175)
- San Francisco Unified (113)
- Fresno Unified (101)
- Long Beach Unified (82)
- Oakland Unified (82)
- San Bernardino City Unified (76)
- Sacramento City Unified (73)
- San Juan Unified (68)
- Elk Grove Unified (67)
- Garden Grove Unified (66)
- Capistrano Unified (59)
- Stockton Unified (54)
- West Contra Costa Unified (54)
- Corona-Norco Unified (53)
- Mt. Diablo Unified (52)
- Santa Ana Unified (52)
- Clovis Unified (50)
- Lodi Unified (49)
- Riverside Unified (49)
- Bakersfield City (45)
- Irvine Unified (45)
- Fontana Unified (44)
- Fremont Unified (44)
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.
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.