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Elementary Schools in Taft, California

Below Average2024–25 data3 schools · avg 31.8/100

Taft, California has 3 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 31.8/100 — 11.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Taft Union High at 40/100, where 10.8% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Taft schools average 7.1% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 30.8% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
31.8
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
14.4
26.0 – 40.4
Avg Exceeded %
7.1%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
30.8%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
3
With Scope Scores

How Taft schools compare

Taft's 3 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 31.8 — 11.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 26.0 to 40.4, a 14.4-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Taft Union High with a Scope Score of 40 and 10.8% of students exceeding standard.

Ceiling effect detected: Taft schools average 24.0% meeting standard but only 7.1% exceeding it. Most students clear the bar but few are pushed past it — a pattern worth investigating school by school.

Chronic absenteeism in Taft averages 30.8%, which is below the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

Schools in Taft ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolScoreCountyExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Taft Union High
Taft Union High Building Momentum
40Kern10.8%31.4%21.9%3.1%
2Buena Vista High (Continuation)
Taft Union High Building Momentum
29Kern4.0%17.2%56.8%6.5%
3Lincoln Junior High
Taft City Building Momentum
26Kern6.5%23.5%13.7%10.0%

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Taft

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Taft good?
Taft's 3 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 31.8/100, which is 11.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. 7.1% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Taft?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Taft is Taft Union High with a Scope Score of 40/100 and 10.8% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Taft schools compare to the state average?
Taft elementary schools average a Scope Score of 31.8 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (11.9 points below). The exceeded rate averages 7.1% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 30.8% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 26.0 to 40.4, a 14.4-point spread.
How many schools are in Taft?
Taft has 3 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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