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Average

#6721 of 9,533 schools in CA

Wasco High

High School · Wasco Union High

Box 250, Wasco, CA 93280

Enrollment

1,693

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wasco

#9 of 10

public schools

California high schools

#1,443 of 1,892

In district

#2 of 2

Wasco Union High

Academic performance

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Wasco High

Wasco High serves 1,693 students in grades 9-12 in the town of Wasco, California. With 81 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1, providing a substantial high school experience in Kern County. Academically, Wasco High earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 56th percentile among California high schools at #4224 out of 9566 schools statewide.

The school shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 51% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 21% of students reaching proficiency standards. As a regular public high school, Wasco High serves a community where the median household income is $48,021 and the median home value is $226,500. The school draws from a diverse population of 27,356 residents in the 93280 ZIP code area, where 21.1% of families experience poverty and 6% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Wasco High operates in a town setting that reflects the agricultural character of Kern County, providing education to students from working families in this Central Valley community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Wasco High is 20.9:1, 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.2%
Math vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness2.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,340

Wasco High — Students at Wasco High score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 52.4%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 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
28%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
20.9%
ELA
51.2%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Wasco High Compares

See how Wasco High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in CA
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
81 teachers

Location

Box 250, Wasco, CA 93280

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wasco High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wasco Independence High (rated 6.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Valley High (Continuation) (rated 6.6/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Shafter), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shafter High (rated 5.8/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Shafter), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Wasco, see our Wasco schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.8 mi
School Distance Rating
NORTH KERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco 0.3 mi 5.1
North Kern Christian Wasco 0.3 mi
Palm Avenue Middle Wasco 0.4 mi 6.9
Thomas Jefferson Middle Wasco 0.4 mi 7.0
Karl F. Clemens Elementary Wasco 0.5 mi 5.6
Wasco Independence High Wasco 0.6 mi 6.6
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wasco 0.6 mi
James A. Forrest Elementary Wasco 0.7 mi 6.4
Teresa Burke Elementary Wasco 1.1 mi 7.4
John L. Prueitt Elementary Wasco 1.1 mi 7.3
Maple Elementary Shafter 5.6 mi 8.0
FREE WILL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Shafter 7.1 mi
Sequoia Elementary Shafter 7.0 mi 6.8
Redwood Elementary Shafter 7.4 mi 6.2
Richland Junior High Shafter 7.4 mi 5.7
Golden Oak Elementary Shafter 7.6 mi 7.3
Central Valley High (Continuation) Shafter 7.4 mi 6.6
Shafter High Shafter 7.4 mi 5.8
Grow Academy Shafter Bakersfield 7.9 mi 5.8
Little Hands Academy Shafter 7.8 mi

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 Wasco High 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
Arlington High Riverside, CA 5.5
California Military Institute Perris, CA 5.5
Hueneme High Oxnard, CA 5.5
Los Banos High Los Banos, CA 5.5
Mission Oak High Tulare, CA 5.5
Monterey Trail High Elk Grove, CA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wasco High

What grades does Wasco High serve?

Wasco High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Wasco High?

Wasco High has an enrollment of approximately 1,693 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wasco High?

The student-teacher ratio at Wasco High is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wasco High rank in CA?

Wasco High is ranked #6721 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Wasco High's MySchoolScout rating?

Wasco High has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Wasco High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wasco High has 21.5% math proficiency and 52.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wasco High a charter school?

No, Wasco High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wasco High a Title I school?

No, Wasco High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wasco High?

86.8% of students at Wasco 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
63 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,155/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,693
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
81
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Kern County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wasco Union High
District Enrollment
1,807
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,159
District Rank
#2 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 methodology

Related reading

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