Very Good
#1820 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 19% in state
Paul L. Cato Middle
Middle School · Bakersfield City
4115 Vineland Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93306
Enrollment
654
Student-Teacher
24.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
654
Student-Teacher
24.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#5 of 145
public schools
California middle schools
#216 of 1,349
In district
#1 of 44
Bakersfield City
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Paul L. Cato Middle
Paul L. Cato Middle is a regular public middle school in Bakersfield, California, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 654 students and a student-teacher ratio of 24.2:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student's needs.
Located at 4115 Vineland Rd., it is situated in a large city setting within Kern County. Paul L. Cato Middle has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks as the 2954th school out of 9566 schools statewide, placing it at around the 69th percentile.
Academically, students show proficiency rates in ELA/Reading of 50% or above and in Math, 31% are proficient or above. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school is actively working on enhancing its academic programs to better support student development. Paul L.
Cato Middle is a part of a vibrant urban community in Bakersfield, offering students access to city resources while maintaining a focus on their educational growth and well-being.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Paul L. Cato Middle is 24.2:1, 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
Paul L. Cato Middle — Students at Paul L. Cato Middle score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.
How Paul L. Cato Middle Compares
See how Paul L. Cato Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 32.33% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 50.32% (2024).
Location
4115 Vineland Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93306
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paul L. Cato Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chipman Junior High (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Compton Junior High (rated 6.4/10, 3.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Edison Middle (rated 6.0/10, 3.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary Bakersfield | 0.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Bakersfield | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| The Shepherd's Academy Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | — |
| Walter Stiern Middle Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Orangewood Elementary Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Hort Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Dr. Juliet Thorner Elementary Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Voorhies Elementary Bakersfield | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Foothill High Bakersfield | 2.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Highland High Bakersfield | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Chipman Junior High Bakersfield | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Henry Eissler Elementary Bakersfield | 2.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Edison Middle Bakersfield | 3.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Pioneer Drive Elementary Bakersfield | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| NIGRITIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield | 2.7 mi | — |
| Compton Junior High Bakersfield | 3.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Shirley Lane Elementary Bakersfield | 3.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Harding Elementary Bakersfield | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Sierra Middle Bakersfield | 3.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Zephyr Lane Elementary Bakersfield | 3.8 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93306 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,988
Median Home Value
$290,700
Median Rent
$1,219/mo
Population
73,370
College Educated
18.2%
Homeownership
63.3%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Median Age
32.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paul L. Cato Middle has a median household income of $66,988. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,700, with a median rent of $1,219/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Davis Middle Compton, CA | 7.7 |
| Fulton (Harry C.) Middle Fountain Valley, CA | 7.7 |
| Los Angeles Academy Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.7 |
| Thomas A. Edison Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.7 |
| Will C. Wood Middle Alameda, CA | 7.7 |
| Arthur E. Wright Middle Calabasas, CA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paul L. Cato Middle
What grades does Paul L. Cato Middle serve?
Paul L. Cato Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Paul L. Cato Middle?
Paul L. Cato Middle has an enrollment of approximately 654 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul L. Cato Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Paul L. Cato Middle is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paul L. Cato Middle rank in CA?
Paul L. Cato Middle is ranked #1820 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Paul L. Cato Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul L. Cato Middle has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Paul L. Cato Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul L. Cato Middle has 31.1% math proficiency and 49.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paul L. Cato Middle a charter school?
No, Paul L. Cato Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paul L. Cato Middle a Title I school?
No, Paul L. Cato Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul L. Cato Middle?
68.2% of students at Paul L. Cato 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
- Walk Score
- 5 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 7 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 27 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,028/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 654
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 631-5245
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #1 of 44
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.
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