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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.4%
Math vs. State Avg-23.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.5 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,937

Tropico Middle — Students at Tropico Middle score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.0%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 24.3%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 12 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
17%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
10.4%
ELA
22.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in CA
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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