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Madera Unified

Below Average2024–25 data24 schools · avg 30.7/100

Madera Unified has 24 ranked schools across elementary and high levels with an average Scope Score of 30.7/100 — 13.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Matilda Torres High at 52/100, where 10.7% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $14,158 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 25.5%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
30.7
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
36.8
14.9 – 51.7
Avg Exceeded %
7.7%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
25.5%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
24
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
Elementary28.7197.8%21.8%
High38.157.1%39.6%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
28.7
avg score · 19 schools
High
38.1
avg score · 5 schools

District Analysis

Strongest level: Madera Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 38.1.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -6.1pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 36.8 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 25.5%, 7.4pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 2.9%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Matilda Torres High leads the district at 52 with 10.7% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Madera Unified

3 On the Rise1 Culture First20 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 3 schools in Madera Unified are classified as On the Rise (3) — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Student demographics

Hispanic
91.0%
White
4.2%
Asian
1.0%
Black
1.2%
Other
2.6%
Free/Reduced Lunch
92%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Madera Unified spends $14,158 per student in current expenditures — $657 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$14,158
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
19,941
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 26.4%
$11,204 → $14,158
Spending Efficiency
2.17
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 57%Support 38%Other 5%
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
$52,709–$107,743
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
1,204
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (19)

Madera Unified has 19 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 28.7 — 15.1 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -6.1pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Dixieland Elementary with a Scope Score of 36 and 8.1% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+GrowthAbsentSusp.
1Dixieland Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
368.1%27.6%-7.0pp22.1%2.6%
2John J. Pershing Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
3410.0%30.4%-0.9pp23.7%2.7%
3Berenda Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
348.8%30.9%+2.3pp21.0%2.4%
4John Adams Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
3412.1%34.0%-18.4pp22.3%2.7%
5Lincoln Elementary
Madera Unified On the Rise
329.9%33.6%+5.4pp25.7%1.7%
6Howard Elementary
Madera Unified On the Rise
326.5%29.6%+6.7pp17.8%1.4%
7Parkwood Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
3112.0%31.1%-7.6pp25.1%2.6%
8James Madison Elementary
Madera Unified Culture First
317.8%22.7%+1.2pp12.8%1.1%
9Alpha Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
3111.1%31.3%-8.9pp22.9%2.8%
10George Washington Elementary
Madera Unified On the Rise
313.8%19.1%+8.1pp10.8%0.8%
11James Monroe Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
299.8%31.3%-0.1pp24.3%2.3%
12Virginia Lee Rose Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
287.4%26.8%-9.8pp24.6%1.6%
13Millview Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
2710.1%27.2%-27.1pp20.5%0.8%
14Cesar Chavez Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
259.7%25.1%-12.5pp19.0%6.7%
15Nishimoto Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
257.7%30.9%-16.0pp25.3%0.6%
16Duane E. Furman Independent Study
Madera Unified Building Momentum
254.5%18.2%29.3%1.0%
17Sierra Vista Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
242.4%15.2%-2.5pp22.3%1.5%
18La Vina Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
212.2%10.7%-3.2pp22.2%1.4%
19Eastin Arcola Elementary
Madera Unified Building Momentum
154.2%17.9%-19.6pp22.5%4.0%

High Schools (5)

Madera Unified has 5 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 38.1 — 9.4 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Matilda Torres High with a Scope Score of 52 and 10.7% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Matilda Torres High
Madera Unified Building Momentum
5210.7%34.6%29.3%4.2%
2Madera High
Madera Unified Building Momentum
5014.5%38.8%22.0%4.0%
3Madera South High
Madera Unified Building Momentum
449.0%27.1%29.3%7.0%
4Mountain Vista High
Madera Unified Building Momentum
231.4%11.0%66.8%6.8%
5Ripperdan Community Day
Madera Unified Building Momentum
220.0%0.0%50.7%7.4%

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 Madera 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 Madera Unified a good school district?
Madera Unified has 24 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 30.7/100, which is 13.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. 7.7% 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 Madera Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Madera Unified is Matilda Torres High with a Scope Score of 52/100 and 10.7% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Madera Unified spend per student?
Madera Unified spends $14,158 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 Madera Unified?
Teacher salaries in Madera Unified range from $52,709–$107,743 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.