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Gonzales Unified

Below Average2024–25 data3 schools · avg 34.1/100

Gonzales Unified has 3 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 34.1/100 — 9.7 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Gonzales High at 42/100, where 9.7% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $13,473 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 24.9%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
34.1
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
11.9
29.6 – 41.5
Avg Exceeded %
8.9%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
24.9%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
3
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryNeeds Support
29.6/100
111.3%20.8%
MiddleDeveloping
31.0/100
15.7%17.6%
HighDeveloping
41.5/100
19.7%36.2%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
29.6
avg score · 1 school
La Gloria Elementary
Needs Support
30/100
Middle
31.0
avg score · 1 school
Fairview Middle
Developing
31/100
High
41.5
avg score · 1 school
Gonzales High
Developing
42/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Gonzales Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 41.5.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -21.4pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 11.9 points — moderately consistent between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 24.9%, 6.7pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 5.1%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Gonzales High leads the district at 42 with 9.7% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

Student demographics

Hispanic
97.2%
White
0.9%
Asian
0.2%
Black
0.2%
Other
1.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch
63%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Gonzales Unified spends $13,473 per student in current expenditures — $1,342 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$13,473
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
2,254
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 6.6%
$12,636 → $13,473
Spending Efficiency
2.53
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 54%Support 42%Other 4%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

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

Elementary Schools (1)

Gonzales Unified has 1 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 29.6 — 14.1 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -21.4pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is La Gloria Elementary with a Scope Score of 30 and 11.3% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1La Gloria Elementary
Gonzales Unified Building Momentum
11.3%Needs Support
30/100

Middle Schools (1)

Gonzales Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 31.0 — 9.5 points below the state average of 40.5.

District-wide growth averages +2.4pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring middle school is Fairview Middle with a Scope Score of 31 and 5.7% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Fairview Middle
Gonzales Unified Building Momentum
5.7%Developing
31/100

High Schools (1)

Gonzales Unified has 1 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 41.5 — 5.9 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Gonzales High with a Scope Score of 42 and 9.7% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Gonzales High
Gonzales Unified Building Momentum
9.7%Developing
42/100

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 Gonzales 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 Gonzales Unified a good school district?
Gonzales Unified has 3 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 34.1/100, which is 9.7 points below the California state average of 43.8. 8.9% 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 Gonzales Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Gonzales Unified is Gonzales High with a Scope Score of 42/100 and 9.7% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Gonzales Unified spend per student?
Gonzales Unified spends $13,473 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 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.