Average
#7164 of 9,533 schools in CA
Fred L. Thompson Junior High
Middle School · Panama-Buena Vista Union
4200 Planz Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93309
Enrollment
762
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
762
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#83 of 145
public schools
California middle schools
#1,074 of 1,349
In district
#15 of 25
Panama-Buena Vista Union
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Fred L. Thompson Junior High
Fred L. Thompson Junior High serves grades 7 and 8 in Bakersfield, California, with an enrollment of 762 students. The school operates as a regular public middle school with 41 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 18.6 to 1.
Academically, the school is working with room for growth. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks in the 15th percentile among California schools. In English language arts and reading, 31 percent of students are performing at proficient levels or above.
Mathematics proficiency is lower, with 11 percent of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. The school's academic score is 2.4 out of 10, reflecting significant challenges in student achievement that merit attention from families, educators, and the broader community. Fred L.
Thompson Junior High is situated in Bakersfield, a large city in California's Kern County, at 4200 Planz Road. The school serves a substantial student body during these crucial middle school years and welcomes families seeking a public education option in the area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Fred L. Thompson Junior High — Students at Fred L. Thompson Junior High score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.1/10.
How Fred L. Thompson Junior High Compares
See how Fred L. Thompson Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 9.17% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 28.45% (2024).
Location
4200 Planz Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93309
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fred L. Thompson Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Curran Middle (rated 5.5/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, O. J. Actis Junior High (rated 5.4/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Louise Sandrini Elementary Bakersfield | 0.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Stine Elementary Bakersfield | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Connections Academy By Pearson Bakersfield | 0.5 mi | — |
| O. J. Actis Junior High Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Charles H. Castle Elementary Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Amy B. Seibert Elementary Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 2.9 |
| Curran Middle Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| West High Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Kern Workforce 2000 Academy Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Munsey Elementary Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Planz Elementary Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Frank West Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Evergreen Elementary Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Roy W. Loudon Elementary Bakersfield | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Bill L. Williams Elementary Bakersfield | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Nigritian Academy Bakersfield | 1.8 mi | — |
| W. A. Kendrick Elementary Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Wayne Van Horn Elementary Bakersfield | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Valley Achievement Center Bakersfield | 2.0 mi | — |
| VALLEY ACHIEVEMENT CENTER Bakersfield | 2.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93309 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,143
Median Home Value
$286,600
Median Rent
$1,268/mo
Population
63,989
College Educated
19.9%
Homeownership
48.3%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
17%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fred L. Thompson Junior High has a median household income of $62,143. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,600, with a median rent of $1,268/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Acacia Middle Hemet, CA | 5.2 |
| Arden Middle Sacramento, CA | 5.2 |
| Canyon Lake Middle Lake Elsinore, CA | 5.2 |
| Chalone Peaks Middle King City, CA | 5.2 |
| Curtis Middle San Bernardino, CA | 5.2 |
| Delta Vista Middle Oakley, CA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fred L. Thompson Junior High
What grades does Fred L. Thompson Junior High serve?
Fred L. Thompson Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Fred L. Thompson Junior High?
Fred L. Thompson Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 762 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fred L. Thompson Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Fred L. Thompson Junior High is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fred L. Thompson Junior High rank in CA?
Fred L. Thompson Junior High is ranked #7164 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Fred L. Thompson Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Fred L. Thompson Junior High has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Fred L. Thompson Junior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fred L. Thompson Junior High has 11.2% math proficiency and 31.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fred L. Thompson Junior High a charter school?
No, Fred L. Thompson Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fred L. Thompson Junior High a Title I school?
No, Fred L. Thompson Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fred L. Thompson Junior High?
91.9% of students at Fred L. Thompson Junior 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,028/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 762
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 832-8011
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Panama-Buena Vista Union- District Enrollment
- 19,369
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,644
- District Rank
- #15 of 25
Other Schools in This District
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.
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