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
Enrollment
2,009
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Golden West High — Students at Golden West High score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.9%
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.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 9.86% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 45.62% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (559) 730-7814
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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