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Needs Improvement

#9154 of 9,533 schools in CA

Golden West High

High School · Visalia Unified

1717 North McAuliff St., Visalia, CA 93292

Enrollment

2,009

Student-Teacher

22.6:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Visalia

#45 of 50

public schools

California high schools

#1,855 of 1,892

In district

#37 of 40

Visalia Unified

About Golden West High

Golden West High serves 2,009 students in grades 9-12 in Visalia, California, making it one of the larger high schools in Tulare County. With 89 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.6 to 1, providing opportunities for meaningful classroom interaction despite its size. Academically, Golden West High has significant room for growth, with 46% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts while 10% meet proficiency standards in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 28th percentile among California high schools, indicating ongoing efforts to strengthen student achievement across core subjects. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $77,670 and median home values reach $295,800. About 19% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 12.8%.

This economic mix reflects the varied backgrounds and experiences students bring to Golden West High. Located on North McAuliff Street, Golden West High sits in the heart of Visalia, a mid-size city in California's Central Valley. The school serves as an important educational anchor in this community of nearly 45,000 residents, providing high school education in an area known for its agricultural heritage and growing suburban character.

What Parents Should Know

Golden West High is a large school with 2,009 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Golden West High is 22.6:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.6%
Math vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.3 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,173

Golden West High — Students at Golden West High score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.4%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 57.3%
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
23%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2024
Math
9.9%
ELA
45.6%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Golden West High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in CA
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
89 teachers

Location

1717 North McAuliff St., Visalia, CA 93292

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Golden West High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. La Sierra High (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mt. Whitney High (rated 4.4/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Visalia, see our Visalia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Valley Oak Middle Visalia 0.3 mi 3.5
Golden Oak Elementary Visalia 0.4 mi 7.8
Mineral King Elementary Visalia 1.4 mi 6.2
La Sierra High Visalia 1.1 mi 6.9
Emmanuel Christian Academy Visalia 1.7 mi
Pinkham Elementary Visalia 1.8 mi 4.1
Four Creeks Elementary Visalia 1.6 mi 5.4
Crowley Elementary Visalia 2.1 mi 4.6
Annie R. Mitchell Visalia 2.5 mi 7.0
GEORGE MCCANN MEMORIAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Visalia 2.2 mi 5.9
The Catholic School of Visalia - George McCann Campus Visalia 2.2 mi
Crescent Valley Public Charter II Visalia 2.3 mi 5.9
Elbow Creek Elementary Visalia 2.8 mi 5.8
Washington Elementary Visalia 2.4 mi 4.0
Blue Oak Academy Visalia 3.2 mi 2.8
Dayspring Christian School Visalia 2.9 mi
Highland Elementary Visalia 2.7 mi 7.9
Charter Home School Academy Visalia 2.8 mi 8.0
Global Learning Charter Visalia 2.8 mi 6.4
Mt. Whitney High Visalia 2.9 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93292 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,784

Median Home Value

$330,600

Median Rent

$1,418/mo

Population

45,523

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

62.2%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

32.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Golden West High has a median household income of $80,784. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $330,600, with a median rent of $1,418/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREPARATORY San Jose, CA 3.8
Hanford High Hanford, CA 3.8
Liberty High Winchester, CA 3.8
ORANGE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Orange, CA 3.8
Barstow High Barstow, CA 3.6
Del Campo High Fair Oaks, CA 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Golden West High

What grades does Golden West High serve?

Golden West High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Golden West High?

Golden West High has an enrollment of approximately 2,009 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Golden West High?

The student-teacher ratio at Golden West High is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Golden West High rank in CA?

Golden West High is ranked #9154 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Golden West High's MySchoolScout rating?

Golden West 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 Golden West High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Golden West High has 29.4% math proficiency and 57.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Golden West High a charter school?

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

Is Golden West High a Title I school?

No, Golden West High is not currently a Title I school.

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

65.9% of students at Golden West 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

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,586/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,009
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
89
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Tulare County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Visalia Unified
District Enrollment
28,893
Schools in District
41
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,005
District Rank
#37 of 40

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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