Very Good
#3417 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 36% in state
Thomas Jefferson Middle
Middle School · Wasco Union Elementary
1102 Fifth St., Wasco, CA 93280
Enrollment
589
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
589
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wasco
#4 of 10
public schools
California middle schools
#477 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 6
Wasco Union Elementary
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Thomas Jefferson Middle
Thomas Jefferson Middle is a regular public school located in the heart of Wasco, California. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 589 students and employs 29 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 20.3:1. The academic performance at Thomas Jefferson Middle reflects room for growth, with MySchoolScout giving it a rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranking the school 6748th out of 9566 schools statewide.
In terms of standardized test scores, 30% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 17% meet proficiency standards in math. The school is situated in a town setting, providing a close-knit community environment for its middle schoolers. Thomas Jefferson Middle focuses on fostering student development and offers a supportive atmosphere where young adolescents can grow academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson Middle is 20.3:1, 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
Thomas Jefferson Middle — Students at Thomas Jefferson Middle score 23% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.2%
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: 7.9/10.
How Thomas Jefferson Middle Compares
See how Thomas Jefferson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 16% (2019) to 16.81% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 29.66% (2024).
Location
1102 Fifth St., Wasco, CA 93280
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Jefferson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Palm Avenue Middle (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Richland Junior High (rated 5.7/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Shafter), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wasco, see our Wasco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Karl F. Clemens Elementary Wasco | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| James A. Forrest Elementary Wasco | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco | 0.4 mi | — |
| Wasco High Wasco | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| NORTH KERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| North Kern Christian Wasco | 0.7 mi | — |
| Wasco Independence High Wasco | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Palm Avenue Middle Wasco | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Teresa Burke Elementary Wasco | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| John L. Prueitt Elementary Wasco | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Maple Elementary Shafter | 5.9 mi | 8.0 |
| FREE WILL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Shafter | 7.1 mi | — |
| Sequoia Elementary Shafter | 7.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Redwood Elementary Shafter | 7.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Richland Junior High Shafter | 7.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Central Valley High (Continuation) Shafter | 7.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Shafter High Shafter | 7.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Golden Oak Elementary Shafter | 7.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Little Hands Academy Shafter | 7.9 mi | — |
| Grow Academy Shafter Bakersfield | 8.0 mi | 5.8 |
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 Thomas Jefferson 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 |
|---|---|
| Andrew Carnegie Middle Orangevale, CA | 7.0 |
| Big Bear Middle Big Bear Lake, CA | 7.0 |
| Bohannon Middle San Lorenzo, CA | 7.0 |
| Bret Harte Middle Hayward, CA | 7.0 |
| Bret Harte Preparatory Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.0 |
| California Middle Sacramento, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Jefferson Middle
What grades does Thomas Jefferson Middle serve?
Thomas Jefferson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Thomas Jefferson Middle?
Thomas Jefferson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 589 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson Middle is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas Jefferson Middle rank in CA?
Thomas Jefferson Middle is ranked #3417 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Thomas Jefferson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Jefferson Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Thomas Jefferson Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Jefferson Middle has 16.6% math proficiency and 30.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas Jefferson Middle a charter school?
No, Thomas Jefferson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Jefferson Middle a Title I school?
No, Thomas Jefferson Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Jefferson Middle?
94.2% of students at Thomas Jefferson 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,155/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 589
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 758-7140
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wasco Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 3,473
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,524
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.