Average
#4731 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 50% in state
Taft Union High
High School · Taft Union High
701 Wildcat Way, Taft, CA 93268
Enrollment
1,045
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,045
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Taft
#1 of 8
public schools
California high schools
#985 of 1,892
In district
#1 of 2
Taft Union High
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Taft Union High
Taft Union High serves 1,045 students in grades 9-12 in the town of Taft, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1 and 56 full-time equivalent teachers. The school operates as a regular public high school in Kern County, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranking in the 46th percentile among California high schools. Academically, the school shows room for growth, with 46% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while mathematics presents a particular area of focus with 15% of students reaching proficiency.
These outcomes reflect opportunities for continued academic development and support. The school serves a community where the median household income is $50,204 and the median home value is $196,100. With 27.6% of residents living below the poverty line and only 8% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, Taft Union High plays an important role in providing educational opportunities for students in this working-class community.
Located on Wildcat Way, the school sits in the heart of Taft, a town of over 17,000 residents in California's Central Valley region.
Score Breakdown
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Taft Union High — Students at Taft Union High score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Taft Union High Compares
See how Taft Union High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 14% (2019) to 14.64% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 46.22% (2024).
Location
701 Wildcat Way, Taft, CA 93268
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Taft Union High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Maricopa High (rated 8.3/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Maricopa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cuyama Valley High (rated 7.4/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby New Cuyama), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Buena Vista High (Continuation) (rated 4.7/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Taft, see our Taft schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt Elementary Taft | 0.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Lincoln Junior High Taft | 0.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Buena Vista High (Continuation) Taft | 0.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Taft Primary Taft | 0.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Jefferson Elementary Taft | 0.6 mi | 2.6 |
| Parkview Elementary Taft | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Conley Elementary Taft | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Midway Elementary Fellows | 5.0 mi | 9.5 |
| Heartland Charter Maricopa | 7.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Blue Ridge Academy San Dimas | 7.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Maricopa Elementary Maricopa | 7.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Maricopa High Maricopa | 7.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Maricopa Middle Maricopa | 7.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Elk Hills Elementary Tupman | 12.1 mi | 7.5 |
| McKittrick Elementary Mckittrick | 14.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Buttonwillow Elementary Buttonwillow | 17.6 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 | 18.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Rosewall Christian Academy Bakersfield | 20.1 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 Union High 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 |
|---|---|
| Alliance Gertz-Ressler Richard Merkin 6-12 Complex Los Angeles, CA | 6.4 |
| Baldwin Park High Baldwin Park, CA | 6.4 |
| Bassett Senior High La Puente, CA | 6.4 |
| Canyon Hills High San Diego, CA | 6.4 |
| Del Lago Academy - Campus of Applied Science Escondido, CA | 6.4 |
| Fremont Academy of Engineering and Design Pomona, CA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Taft Union High
What grades does Taft Union High serve?
Taft Union High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Taft Union High?
Taft Union High has an enrollment of approximately 1,045 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Taft Union High?
The student-teacher ratio at Taft Union High is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Taft Union High rank in CA?
Taft Union High is ranked #4731 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Taft Union High's MySchoolScout rating?
Taft Union High has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Union High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Taft Union High has 12.7% math proficiency and 43.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Taft Union High a charter school?
No, Taft Union High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Taft Union High a Title I school?
No, Taft Union High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Taft Union High?
81.3% of students at Taft Union High 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 (Taft). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,045
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 763-2300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Taft Union High- District Enrollment
- 1,138
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,712
- 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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