Below Average
#7805 of 9,533 schools in CA
Tropico Middle
Middle School · Southern Kern Unified
PO Drawer CC, Rosamond, CA 93560
Enrollment
820
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
820
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rosamond
#6 of 6
public schools
California middle schools
#1,168 of 1,349
In district
#6 of 6
Southern Kern Unified
School environment
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Tropico Middle
Tropico Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in Rosamond, a rural community in Kern County. The school educates approximately 820 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, supported by 41 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Tropico Middle is experiencing significant challenges.
The school's proficiency rates are notably low, with just 24% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 14% in mathematics. These results reflect an academic program with considerable room for growth and development. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and state ranking in the 11th percentile indicate it's among California's schools facing the steepest academic headwinds.
For families considering Tropico Middle, it's important to understand that the school is working within a context of substantial educational challenges. Parents may want to explore what interventions, support programs, or community resources might help their students succeed. Conversations with the school administration about specific academic supports, teaching methods, and improvement initiatives would provide valuable insight into the school's direction and commitment to student achievement.
Tropico Middle is located in the rural setting of Rosamond, a small community where the school serves as an important educational institution for local families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Tropico Middle 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
Tropico Middle — Students at Tropico Middle score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.0/10.
How Tropico Middle Compares
See how Tropico Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 10.64% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 22.43% (2024).
Location
PO Drawer CC, Rosamond, CA 93560
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tropico Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.1/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Lancaster), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Amargosa Creek Middle (rated 4.6/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Lancaster), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rosamond, see our Rosamond schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Westpark Elementary Rosamond | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Rosamond High Early College Campus Rosamond | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Abraham Lincoln Alternative Rosamond | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Rare Earth High (Continuation) Rosamond | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Rosamond Elementary Rosamond | 3.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Del Sur Senior Elementary Lancaster | 10.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Desert View Elementary Lancaster | 11.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Mariposa Elementary Lancaster | 11.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Lancaster High Lancaster | 12.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Fabunni Private School Lancaster | 12.5 mi | — |
| Monte Vista Elementary Lancaster | 12.3 mi | 3.1 |
| NOAH'S ARK - HOPE CHAPEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 12.7 mi | 6.9 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 12.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Sundown Elementary Lancaster | 12.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Amargosa Creek Middle Lancaster | 12.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Phoenix High Community Day Lancaster | 12.2 mi | 6.8 |
| ANTELOPE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Lancaster | 12.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Antelope Valley Adventist School Lancaster | 12.5 mi | — |
| ANTELOPE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Lancaster | 12.5 mi | 3.3 |
| West Wind Elementary Lancaster | 12.8 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93560 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,204
Median Home Value
$324,700
Median Rent
$1,229/mo
Population
21,537
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
78.2%
Avg Commute
31.4 min
Poverty Rate
19.1%
Median Age
30.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tropico Middle has a median household income of $76,204. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $324,700, with a median rent of $1,229/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Bernardo Yorba Middle Placentia, CA | 4.9 |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville, CA | 4.9 |
| El Camino Junior High Santa Maria, CA | 4.9 |
| Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Merced, CA | 4.9 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced, CA | 4.9 |
| Livingston Middle Livingston, CA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tropico Middle
What grades does Tropico Middle serve?
Tropico Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Tropico Middle?
Tropico Middle has an enrollment of approximately 820 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tropico Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Tropico Middle is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tropico Middle rank in CA?
Tropico Middle is ranked #7805 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Tropico Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Tropico Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Tropico Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tropico Middle has 14.0% math proficiency and 24.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tropico Middle a charter school?
No, Tropico Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tropico Middle a Title I school?
No, Tropico Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tropico Middle?
81.8% of students at Tropico 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
- 820
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 256-5040
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southern Kern Unified- District Enrollment
- 3,683
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,641
- District Rank
- #6 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.
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