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Below Average

#8015 of 9,539 schools in CA

Tropico Middle

Middle School · Southern Kern Unified

PO Drawer CC, Rosamond, CA 93560

Enrollment

820

Student-Teacher

20:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,015 of 9,539

In Rosamond

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#5 of 6

Southern Kern Unified

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Tropico Middle

4.5/10

Middle School in Rosamond · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Westpark Elementary

7.2/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Rosamond High Early College Campus

6.1/10

2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Tropico Middle

Tropico Middle is a public middle school in Rosamond, CA, part of Southern Kern Unified. Tropico Middle serves approximately 820 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. Tropico Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #8,015 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Tropico Middle show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts below CA schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Tropico Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

37% of students at Tropico Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.88 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-23.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.5 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-11.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment6.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,641
Chronic Absenteeism37.2%

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 23.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 30.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
34%
ELA
39%
2010
Math
40%
ELA
38%
2011
Math
29%
ELA
39%
2012
Math
38%
ELA
39%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
23%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
25%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
23%
2017
Math
13%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
13.9%
ELA
20.5%
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: 4.6/10.

How Tropico Middle Compares

See how Tropico Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
16th percentile in CA
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
6.1/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.2%

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 4.0/10, 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 7.2
Rosamond High Early College Campus Rosamond 2.6 mi 6.1
Abraham Lincoln Alternative Rosamond 2.7 mi 4.8
Rare Earth High (Continuation) Rosamond 2.7 mi 5.2
Rosamond Elementary Rosamond 3.4 mi 3.4
Del Sur Senior Elementary Lancaster 10.8 mi 3.1
Desert View Elementary Lancaster 11.5 mi 3.4
Mariposa Elementary Lancaster 11.6 mi 4.1
Lancaster High Lancaster 12.1 mi 3.8
Fabunni Private School Lancaster 12.5 mi
Monte Vista Elementary Lancaster 12.3 mi 2.9
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 2.7
Amargosa Creek Middle Lancaster 12.6 mi 4.0
Phoenix High Community Day Lancaster 12.2 mi 6.5
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 5.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
C. E. Utt Middle Tustin, CA 4.5
Cedar Middle Hesperia, CA 4.5
Crescent Elk Middle Crescent City, CA 4.5
Hilltop Middle Chula Vista, CA 4.5
Mills Middle Rancho Cordova, CA 4.5
Mountain View Middle Beaumont, CA 4.5

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 ranks #8,015 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Tropico Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Tropico Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Tropico Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Tropico Middle has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.2%

District

Southern Kern Unified
District Enrollment
3,683
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,641
District Rank
#5 of 6

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