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Barstow Unified

Below Average2024–25 data4 schools · avg 20.3/100

Barstow Unified has 4 ranked schools across middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 20.3/100 — 23.5 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Barstow High at 40/100, where 8.0% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $12,633 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 52.9%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
20.3
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
35.7
4.1 – 39.8
Avg Exceeded %
4.1%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
52.9%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
MiddleNeeds Support
15.9/100
23.5%47.7%
HighNeeds Support
24.7/100
24.7%58.1%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Barstow Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Middle
15.9
avg score · 2 schools
Barstow STEM Academy
Needs Support
28/100
Barstow Junior High
Needs Support
4/100
High
24.7
avg score · 2 schools
Barstow High
Developing
40/100
Central High (Continuation)
Needs Support
10/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Barstow Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 24.7.

Consistency: Score range of 35.7 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 52.9%, 34.8pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 12.3%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Barstow High leads the district at 40 with 8.0% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

Student demographics

Hispanic
55.7%
White
16.2%
Asian
0.5%
Black
19.7%
Other
8.0%
Free/Reduced Lunch
73%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Barstow Unified spends $12,633 per student in current expenditures — $2,182 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$12,633
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
6,129
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 15.2%
$10,964 → $12,633
Spending Efficiency
1.61
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 61%Support 37%Other 2%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$57,952–$125,965
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
268
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Middle Schools (2)

Barstow Unified has 2 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 15.9 — 24.6 points below the state average of 40.5.

District-wide growth averages +2.8pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring middle school is Barstow STEM Academy with a Scope Score of 28 and 6.0% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Barstow STEM Academy
Barstow Unified Building Momentum
6.0%Needs Support
28/100
2Barstow Junior High
Barstow Unified Building Momentum
1.1%Needs Support
4/100

High Schools (2)

Barstow Unified has 2 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 24.7 — 22.8 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Barstow High with a Scope Score of 40 and 8.0% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Barstow High
Barstow Unified Building Momentum
8.0%Developing
40/100
2Central High (Continuation)
Barstow Unified Building Momentum
1.4%Needs Support
10/100

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 Barstow Unified

  • 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 resources are distributed across schools within the district

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Barstow Unified a good school district?
Barstow Unified has 4 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 20.3/100, which is 23.5 points below the California state average of 43.8. 4.1% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Barstow Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Barstow Unified is Barstow High with a Scope Score of 40/100 and 8.0% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Barstow Unified spend per student?
Barstow Unified spends $12,633 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in Barstow Unified?
Teacher salaries in Barstow Unified range from $57,952–$125,965 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
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-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.