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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.1Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.5%
Math vs. State Avg-19 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment6.8Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,487

Palm Avenue Middle — Students at Palm Avenue Middle score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.1%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 35.6%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
22%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
15.4%
ELA
38.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in CA
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,155/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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