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Needs Improvement

#9143 of 9,533 schools in CA

Avenal High

High School · Reef-Sunset Unified

601 Mariposa St., Avenal, CA 93204

Enrollment

750

Student-Teacher

25:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Avenal

#4 of 4

public schools

California high schools

#1,853 of 1,892

In district

#5 of 5

Reef-Sunset Unified

About Avenal High

Avenal High serves grades 9–12 in Avenal, a rural community in Kings County, California. The school has an enrollment of 750 students with a student-teacher ratio of 25:1 and 30 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Avenal High is currently working to strengthen its student outcomes.

In English language arts, 37% of students are performing at proficient levels or above, while math proficiency stands at 11% across grade levels, indicating significant room for growth in mathematics instruction and support. The school's overall academic score of 2.3/10 reflects these challenges, and it ranks in the lower percentile statewide, which the school community is likely addressing through targeted interventions and support programs. As a regular public high school in a rural setting near town, Avenal High serves as an important educational institution for the local area, providing secondary education to students in this part of the Central Valley.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Avenal High is 25:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Avenal High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.9%
Math vs. State Avg-22.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness2.6Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,964

Avenal High — Students at Avenal High score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 11.4%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 37.2%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
12%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
5.8%
ELA
29.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.

How Avenal High Compares

See how Avenal High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in CA
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

601 Mariposa St., Avenal, CA 93204

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Avenal High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cambridge High (rated 5.7/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Coalinga), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chesnut High (Continuation) (rated 4.7/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Coalinga), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Coalinga High (rated 4.1/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Coalinga), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Avenal, see our Avenal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Sunrise High (Continuation) Avenal 0.2 mi
Reef-Sunset Secondary Community Day Avenal 0.3 mi
Reef Sunset Middle Avenal 0.5 mi 5.0
Avenal Elementary Avenal 0.6 mi 5.0
Tamarack Elementary Avenal 0.8 mi 6.5
Kettleman City Elementary Kettleman City 9.4 mi 4.9
Huron Middle Huron 13.2 mi 5.4
Huron Elementary Huron 13.9 mi 5.8
Chesnut High (Continuation) Coalinga 13.9 mi 4.7
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Coalinga 15.8 mi 4.6
Cambridge High Coalinga 16.0 mi 5.7
Coalinga High Coalinga 16.0 mi 4.1
Annie E. Cheney Kindergarten Coalinga 16.0 mi 7.4
Coalinga Middle Coalinga 16.2 mi 4.0
Sunset Elementary Coalinga 16.1 mi 6.3
Nell Dawson Elementary Coalinga 16.2 mi 4.8
Miles W. Culwell Community Day Coalinga 16.3 mi
Henry F. Bishop Elementary Coalinga 16.3 mi 6.6
Parkfield Elementary San Miguel 18.6 mi
R. J. Neutra Lemoore 22.1 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,986

Median Home Value

$224,800

Median Rent

$1,060/mo

Population

13,441

College Educated

4.4%

Homeownership

44.8%

Avg Commute

31.2 min

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

32.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Avenal High has a median household income of $52,986. It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,800, with a median rent of $1,060/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aspire Richmond Ca. College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA 3.8
New Designs Charter Los Angeles, CA 3.8
Orland High Orland, CA 3.8
Calaveras High San Andreas, CA 3.6
Options for Youth-San Juan Covina, CA 3.6
Fortuna Union High Fortuna, CA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Avenal High

What grades does Avenal High serve?

Avenal High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Avenal High?

Avenal High has an enrollment of approximately 750 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Avenal High?

The student-teacher ratio at Avenal High is 25:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Avenal High rank in CA?

Avenal High is ranked #9143 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Avenal High's MySchoolScout rating?

Avenal High has a composite rating of 3.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Avenal High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Avenal High has 11.4% math proficiency and 37.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Avenal High a charter school?

No, Avenal High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Avenal High a Title I school?

No, Avenal High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Avenal High?

95.9% of students at Avenal High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (671/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Avenal). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher Ratio
25:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kings County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Reef-Sunset Unified
District Enrollment
2,687
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,468
District Rank
#5 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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