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McFarland Unified

Below Average2024–25 data5 schools · avg 33.4/100

McFarland Unified has 5 ranked schools across elementary and high levels with an average Scope Score of 33.4/100 — 10.4 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is McFarland High School Early College at 54/100, where 20.0% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $13,117 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 16.9%, near the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
33.4
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
41.9
12.1 – 54.0
Avg Exceeded %
9.8%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
16.9%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
5
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryDeveloping
33.6/100
37.8%6.3%
HighDeveloping
33.0/100
212.9%32.8%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
33.6
avg score · 3 schools
Horizon Elementary
Developing
39/100
Kern Avenue Elementary
Developing
30/100
High
33.0
avg score · 2 schools

District Analysis

Strongest level: McFarland Unified's elementary schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 33.6.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -6.2pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 41.9 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 16.9%, 1.2pp near the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 3.2%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: McFarland High School Early College leads the district at 54 with 20.0% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

Student demographics

Hispanic
97.2%
White
0.5%
Asian
0.4%
Black
1.2%
Other
0.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch
88%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

McFarland Unified spends $13,117 per student in current expenditures — $1,697 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$13,117
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
3,445
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 18.6%
$11,064 → $13,117
Spending Efficiency
2.55
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 59%Support 37%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

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$58,356–$109,333
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
155
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (3)

McFarland Unified has 3 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 33.6 — 10.1 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -6.2pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Horizon Elementary with a Scope Score of 39 and 12.4% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Horizon Elementary
McFarland Unified Building Momentum
12.4%Developing
39/100
2Browning Road STEAM Academy
McFarland Unified Building Momentum
5.7%Developing
31/100
3Kern Avenue Elementary
McFarland Unified Building Momentum
5.3%Developing
30/100

High Schools (2)

McFarland Unified has 2 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 33.0 — 14.5 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is McFarland High School Early College with a Scope Score of 54 and 20.0% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1McFarland High School Early College
McFarland Unified Building Momentum
20.0%Solid
54/100
2San Joaquin High (Continuation)
McFarland Unified Building Momentum
5.9%Needs Support
12/100

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 McFarland 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 McFarland Unified a good school district?
McFarland Unified has 5 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 33.4/100, which is 10.4 points below the California state average of 43.8. 9.8% 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 McFarland Unified?
The highest-scoring school in McFarland Unified is McFarland High School Early College with a Scope Score of 54/100 and 20.0% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does McFarland Unified spend per student?
McFarland Unified spends $13,117 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 McFarland Unified?
Teacher salaries in McFarland Unified range from $58,356–$109,333 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.