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Needs Improvement

#9356 of 9,533 schools in CA

Taft Primary

Elementary School · Taft City

212 Lucard St., Taft, CA 93268

Enrollment

238

Student-Teacher

23.8:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Taft

#7 of 8

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,678 of 5,817

In district

#5 of 6

Taft City

About Taft Primary

Taft Primary is a regular public elementary school located in the town of Taft, California. Serving kindergarten through third grade, this small community-focused school has an enrollment of 238 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.8:1 with ten full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Taft Primary is currently being assessed for improvement, with the MySchoolScout rating standing at 2.4 out of 10.

The school ranks #9273 among California's nearly 9566 schools, placing it in the third percentile. Test results show that 26% of students are proficient or above in English language arts and reading, while 22% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, Taft Primary remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment for its young students.

The school's setting within the heart of Taft provides a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and parents work together to support student development and growth.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Taft Primary is 23.8:1, 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 Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-29.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.8 pts
Overall Proficiency19%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,437

Taft Primary — Students at Taft Primary score 19% proficient, which is below 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%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.2%
School
State
40.7%
ELA Proficiency 26.2%
School
State
45.0%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2024
Math
16%
ELA
22%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.4/10.

How Taft Primary Compares

See how Taft Primary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
2th percentile in CA
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

212 Lucard St., Taft, CA 93268

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Taft Primary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Midway Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Fellows), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cuyama Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby New Cuyama), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Elk Hills Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Tupman), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Taft, see our Taft schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Lincoln Junior High Taft 0.4 mi 4.6
Roosevelt Elementary Taft 0.4 mi 5.9
Taft Union High Taft 0.4 mi 6.4
Buena Vista High (Continuation) Taft 0.8 mi 4.7
Conley Elementary Taft 0.9 mi 4.5
Jefferson Elementary Taft 0.9 mi 2.6
Parkview Elementary Taft 1.1 mi 5.3
Midway Elementary Fellows 5.5 mi 9.5
Heartland Charter Maricopa 6.7 mi 4.3
Blue Ridge Academy San Dimas 6.7 mi 4.5
Maricopa Elementary Maricopa 6.7 mi 6.0
Maricopa High Maricopa 6.7 mi 8.3
Maricopa Middle Maricopa 6.7 mi 5.4
Elk Hills Elementary Tupman 12.1 mi 7.5
McKittrick Elementary Mckittrick 14.9 mi 4.8
Buttonwillow Elementary Buttonwillow 17.8 mi 5.8
Cuyama Elementary New Cuyama 17.0 mi 7.6
California Connections Academy Central Coast San Juan Capistrano 17.0 mi 2.3
Cuyama Valley High New Cuyama 18.6 mi 7.4
Rosewall Christian Academy Bakersfield 20.2 mi

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 Taft Primary 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
Golden Valley Orchard Orangevale, CA 3.3
Grayson Elementary Westley, CA 3.3
Lake Don Pedro Elementary La Grange, CA 3.3
Nuestro Elementary Live Oak, CA 3.3
Paradise Hills Elementary San Diego, CA 3.3
Bryant Elementary San Francisco, CA 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Taft Primary

What grades does Taft Primary serve?

Taft Primary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Taft Primary?

Taft Primary has an enrollment of approximately 238 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Taft Primary?

The student-teacher ratio at Taft Primary is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Taft Primary rank in CA?

Taft Primary is ranked #9356 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Taft Primary's MySchoolScout rating?

Taft Primary has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Taft Primary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Taft Primary has 22.2% math proficiency and 26.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Taft Primary a charter school?

No, Taft Primary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Taft Primary a Title I school?

No, Taft Primary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Taft Primary?

92.0% of students at Taft Primary 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

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
238
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Kern County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Taft City
District Enrollment
2,383
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,953
District Rank
#5 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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