Average
#4843 of 9,539 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
6.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
762
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
6.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#4,843 of 9,539
In Bakersfield
#58 of 145
public schools
In district
#13 of 25
Panama-Buena Vista Union
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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Fred L. Thompson Junior High
Middle School in Bakersfield · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Louise Sandrini Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Stine Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Fred L. Thompson Junior High
Fred L. Thompson Junior High is a public middle school in Bakersfield, CA, part of Panama-Buena Vista Union. Fred L.
Thompson Junior High serves approximately 762 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Fred L. Thompson Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,843 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Fred L. Thompson Junior High show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- District avg 6.8
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Fred L. Thompson Junior High sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
40% of students at Fred L. Thompson Junior High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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: 23%).
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 28 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.
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
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. O. J. Actis Junior High (rated 6.1/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Curran Middle (rated 6.0/10, 1.3 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 | 7.5 |
| Stine Elementary Bakersfield | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Connections Academy By Pearson Bakersfield | 0.5 mi | — |
| O. J. Actis Junior High Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Charles H. Castle Elementary Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Amy B. Seibert Elementary Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Curran Middle Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| West High Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Kern Workforce 2000 Academy Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Munsey Elementary Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Planz Elementary Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Frank West Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Evergreen Elementary Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Roy W. Loudon Elementary Bakersfield | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Bill L. Williams Elementary Bakersfield | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Nigritian Academy Bakersfield | 1.8 mi | — |
| W. A. Kendrick Elementary Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Wayne Van Horn Elementary Bakersfield | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Animo James B. Taylor Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA | 6.3 |
| Bidwell Junior High Chico, CA | 6.3 |
| Cactus Medical Health and Technology Magnet Academy Palmdale, CA | 6.3 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle Union City, CA | 6.3 |
| Dr. Manuel M. Lopez Academy of Arts & Sciences Oxnard, CA | 6.3 |
| Hillside Middle Simi Valley, CA | 6.3 |
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 ranks #4,843 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Fred L. Thompson Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Fred L. Thompson Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Fred L. Thompson Junior High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Fred L. Thompson Junior High has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.5%
- Phone
- (661) 832-8011
Resources & Links
District
Panama-Buena Vista Union- District Enrollment
- 19,369
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,644
- District Rank
- #13 of 25
Other Schools in This District
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