Needs Improvement
#9502 of 9,533 schools in CA
Jefferson Elementary
Elementary School · Taft City
318 Taylor St., Taft, CA 93268
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Taft
#8 of 8
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,792 of 5,817
In district
#6 of 6
Taft City
About Jefferson Elementary
Jefferson Elementary is a regular public school located in Taft, California, serving kindergarten through third grade. With an enrollment of 255 students and a student-teacher ratio of 25.5:1, Jefferson Elementary has ten full-time equivalent teachers to support its young learners. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 2.0 out of 10, reflecting areas where the academic performance could be stronger, with only 28% of students proficient in ELA/Reading and 26% proficient in Math.
However, Jefferson Elementary focuses on student development and works diligently to improve its academic scores. The school is situated in a town setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere for both students and families. While the neighborhood data is not available, Taft’s small-town charm provides a nurturing environment where teachers can connect with parents and local residents support their children's education.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary is 25.5:1, 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Jefferson Elementary — Students at Jefferson Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 1.3/10.
How Jefferson Elementary Compares
See how Jefferson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 17.46% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 19.35% (2024).
Location
318 Taylor St., Taft, CA 93268
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jefferson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Midway Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Fellows), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cuyama Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby New Cuyama), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Elk Hills Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Tupman), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Taft, see our Taft schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista High (Continuation) Taft | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Taft | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Lincoln Junior High Taft | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Taft Union High Taft | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Taft Primary Taft | 0.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Parkview Elementary Taft | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Conley Elementary Taft | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Midway Elementary Fellows | 4.9 mi | 9.5 |
| Heartland Charter Maricopa | 7.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Blue Ridge Academy San Dimas | 7.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Maricopa Elementary Maricopa | 7.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Maricopa High Maricopa | 7.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Maricopa Middle Maricopa | 7.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Elk Hills Elementary Tupman | 11.5 mi | 7.5 |
| McKittrick Elementary Mckittrick | 14.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Buttonwillow Elementary Buttonwillow | 16.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Cuyama Elementary New Cuyama | 17.6 mi | 7.6 |
| California Connections Academy Central Coast San Juan Capistrano | 17.6 mi | 2.3 |
| Rosewall Christian Academy Bakersfield | 19.5 mi | — |
| Cuyama Valley High New Cuyama | 19.0 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93268 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,473
Median Home Value
$225,000
Median Rent
$998/mo
Population
16,956
College Educated
8.8%
Homeownership
49.1%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
25.8%
Median Age
31.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson Elementary has a median household income of $55,473. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,000, with a median rent of $998/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 Slauson Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 2.6 |
| Golden Charter Academy Fresno, CA | 2.6 |
| Stone Bridge Napa, CA | 2.6 |
| Clover Flat Elementary Boulevard, CA | 2.7 |
| Crest Elementary El Cajon, CA | 2.5 |
| Hillcrest Elementary San Francisco, CA | 2.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jefferson Elementary
What grades does Jefferson Elementary serve?
Jefferson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.
How many students attend Jefferson Elementary?
Jefferson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary is 25.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jefferson Elementary rank in CA?
Jefferson Elementary is ranked #9502 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Jefferson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson Elementary has a composite rating of 2.6 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 Jefferson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elementary has 26.5% math proficiency and 27.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jefferson Elementary a charter school?
No, Jefferson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jefferson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Jefferson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elementary?
96.9% of students at Jefferson Elementary 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 (3,220/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Taft). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 255
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 763-4236
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Taft City- District Enrollment
- 2,383
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,953
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.