Average
#3627 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 38% in state
Palm Avenue Middle
Middle School · Wasco Union Elementary
1102 Fifth St., Wasco, CA 93280
Enrollment
632
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
632
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wasco
#5 of 10
public schools
California middle schools
#517 of 1,349
In district
#4 of 6
Wasco Union Elementary
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Palm Avenue Middle
Palm Avenue Middle, located in Wasco, California, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 632 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1, the school benefits from a dedicated staff of 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Palm Avenue Middle indicates room for improvement, with MySchoolScout ranking it at 4.5 out of 10, placing it around the 35th percentile among California schools.
On state tests, only 36% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading and 18% in Math. Palm Avenue Middle is situated in a town setting, offering a close-knit community for its students to grow and develop. While academic scores show areas where the school can focus on improvement, it provides a supportive environment that encourages learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Palm Avenue Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palm Avenue Middle — Students at Palm Avenue Middle score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Palm Avenue Middle Compares
See how Palm Avenue Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 15.42% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 38.5% (2024).
Location
1102 Fifth St., Wasco, CA 93280
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palm Avenue Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Thomas Jefferson Middle (rated 7.0/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Richland Junior High (rated 5.7/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Shafter), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wasco, see our Wasco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NORTH KERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco | 0.3 mi | 5.1 |
| North Kern Christian Wasco | 0.3 mi | — |
| Wasco High Wasco | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Wasco Independence High Wasco | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Wasco | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Karl F. Clemens Elementary Wasco | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Teresa Burke Elementary Wasco | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco | 0.9 mi | — |
| John L. Prueitt Elementary Wasco | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| James A. Forrest Elementary Wasco | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Maple Elementary Shafter | 5.3 mi | 8.0 |
| FREE WILL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Shafter | 6.9 mi | — |
| Sequoia Elementary Shafter | 6.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Redwood Elementary Shafter | 7.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Richland Junior High Shafter | 7.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Golden Oak Elementary Shafter | 7.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Central Valley High (Continuation) Shafter | 7.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Shafter High Shafter | 7.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Grow Academy Shafter Bakersfield | 7.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Little Hands Academy Shafter | 7.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93280 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,060
Median Home Value
$255,300
Median Rent
$996/mo
Population
27,266
College Educated
7.9%
Homeownership
58.7%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
19.4%
Median Age
30.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palm Avenue Middle has a median household income of $55,060. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $255,300, with a median rent of $996/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Abbott Middle San Mateo, CA | 6.9 |
| Bear River Wheatland, CA | 6.9 |
| Catherine L. Zane Middle Eureka, CA | 6.9 |
| Daniel Webster Middle Los Angeles, CA | 6.9 |
| Diablo Vista Middle Danville, CA | 6.9 |
| Dr. Julian Nava Learning Academy Los Angeles, CA | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palm Avenue Middle
What grades does Palm Avenue Middle serve?
Palm Avenue Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Palm Avenue Middle?
Palm Avenue Middle has an enrollment of approximately 632 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palm Avenue Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Palm Avenue Middle 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 Palm Avenue Middle rank in CA?
Palm Avenue Middle is ranked #3627 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Palm Avenue Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Palm Avenue Middle has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Palm Avenue Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palm Avenue Middle has 18.1% math proficiency and 35.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palm Avenue Middle a charter school?
No, Palm Avenue Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palm Avenue Middle a Title I school?
No, Palm Avenue Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palm Avenue Middle?
92.2% of students at Palm Avenue Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 632
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 758-7130
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wasco Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 3,473
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,524
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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
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