Very Good
#2155 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 23% in state
Sunset
Middle School · Vineland Elementary
8301 Sunset Blvd., Bakersfield, CA 93307
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
7.6
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
7.6
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#8 of 145
public schools
California middle schools
#256 of 1,349
In district
#1 of 2
Vineland Elementary
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Sunset
Sunset Middle School is a regular public school located in Bakersfield, California, on the rural outskirts near a small town. Serving students from grades 5 through 8, Sunset has an enrollment of 311 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Sunset is currently ranked #6391 out of 9566 schools in California by MySchoolScout, placing it around the 33rd percentile state-wide.
Test scores show that 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 11% are proficient or above in math, indicating areas where additional support could be beneficial. Sunset Middle School is situated in a setting that offers a close-knit community atmosphere, making it a place where students can develop strong relationships with their peers and teachers.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Sunset may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sunset — Students at Sunset score 21% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How Sunset Compares
See how Sunset performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 11.22% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 31.13% (2024).
Location
8301 Sunset Blvd., Bakersfield, CA 93307
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunset may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Haven Drive Middle (rated 8.0/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Arvin), which scores slightly higher. Another option is McKee Middle (rated 6.5/10, 6.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Myrtle Avenue Elementary (rated 5.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Lamont), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Vineland Elementary Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Lamont Elementary Lamont | 2.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Nueva Continuation High Lamont | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Myrtle Avenue Elementary Lamont | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Alicante Avenue Elementary Lamont | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Mountain View Middle Lamont | 4.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Bear Mountain Elementary Arvin | 4.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Arvin High Arvin | 4.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Grow Academy Arvin Bakersfield | 4.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Haven Drive Middle Arvin | 4.9 mi | 8.0 |
| El Camino Real Elementary Arvin | 5.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Sierra Vista Elementary Arvin | 5.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Del Oro High Bakersfield | 6.5 mi | — |
| Christ Centered Church Bakersfield / Gideon Academy Bakersfield | 5.9 mi | — |
| CHRIST CENTERED CHURCH BAKERSFIELD/GIDEON ACADEMY Bakersfield | 5.9 mi | 5.7 |
| McKee Middle Bakersfield | 6.3 mi | 6.5 |
| General Shafter Elementary Bakersfield | 6.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Golden Valley High Bakersfield | 6.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Fairview Elementary Bakersfield | 7.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Valle Verde Elementary Bakersfield | 7.0 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93307 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,572
Median Home Value
$238,400
Median Rent
$1,195/mo
Population
88,233
College Educated
7%
Homeownership
46.9%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
24.9%
Median Age
27.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunset has a median household income of $52,572. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $238,400, with a median rent of $1,195/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Anderson Middle Anderson, CA | 7.6 |
| CHARLES ARMSTRONG SCHOOL Belmont, CA | 7.6 |
| Lindbergh STEM Academy Long Beach, CA | 7.6 |
| Lloyd G. Johnson Junior High Arbuckle, CA | 7.6 |
| Ranchos Middle Madera, CA | 7.6 |
| Spring Valley Academy Spring Valley, CA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunset
What grades does Sunset serve?
Sunset serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Sunset?
Sunset has an enrollment of approximately 311 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunset?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunset is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunset rank in CA?
Sunset is ranked #2155 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sunset's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunset has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Sunset?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunset has 11.4% math proficiency and 30.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunset a charter school?
No, Sunset is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunset a Title I school?
No, Sunset is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunset?
100.0% of students at Sunset 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 311
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 845-1320
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Vineland Elementary- District Enrollment
- 657
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,041
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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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