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Reef-Sunset Unified

Below Average2024–25 data6 schools · avg 27.1/100

Reef-Sunset Unified has 6 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 27.1/100 — 16.7 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Avenal High at 44/100, where 8.0% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $13,418 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 20.8%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
27.1
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
28.4
15.2 – 43.6
Avg Exceeded %
3.8%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
20.8%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
6
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryNeeds Support
24.5/100
34.2%15.7%
MiddleNeeds Support
23.5/100
12.3%14.4%
HighDeveloping
32.9/100
24.0%31.6%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
24.5
avg score · 3 schools
Avenal Elementary
Developing
34/100
Kettleman City Elementary
Needs Support
24/100
Tamarack Elementary
Needs Support
15/100
Middle
23.5
avg score · 1 school
Reef Sunset Middle
Needs Support
23/100
High
32.9
avg score · 2 schools
Avenal High
Developing
44/100
Sunrise Continuation High
Needs Support
22/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Reef-Sunset Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 32.9.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages +2.5pp (state avg: -3.0pp), suggesting schools are adding meaningful value.

Consistency: Score range of 28.4 points — showing notable variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 20.8%, 2.7pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 5.9%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Avenal High leads the district at 44 with 8.0% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Reef-Sunset Unified

1 On the Rise5 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 1 school in Reef-Sunset Unified is classified as On the Rise — 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
98.1%
White
1.0%
Asian
0.7%
Black
0.1%
Other
0.2%
Free/Reduced Lunch
97%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Reef-Sunset Unified spends $13,418 per student in current expenditures — $1,396 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$13,418
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
2,728
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 8.9%
$12,318 → $13,418
Spending Efficiency
2.02
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 50%Support 45%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
$61,616–$138,513
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
151
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (3)

Reef-Sunset Unified has 3 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 24.5 — 19.3 points below the state average of 43.8.

District-wide growth averages +2.5pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Avenal Elementary with a Scope Score of 34 and 5.1% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Avenal Elementary
Reef-Sunset Unified On the Rise
5.1%Developing
34/100
2Kettleman City Elementary
Reef-Sunset Unified Building Momentum
6.0%Needs Support
24/100
3Tamarack Elementary
Reef-Sunset Unified Building Momentum
1.6%Needs Support
15/100

Middle Schools (1)

Reef-Sunset Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 23.5 — 17.0 points below the state average of 40.5.

District-wide growth averages +2.7pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring middle school is Reef Sunset Middle with a Scope Score of 23 and 2.3% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Reef Sunset Middle
Reef-Sunset Unified Building Momentum
2.3%Needs Support
23/100

High Schools (2)

Reef-Sunset Unified has 2 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 32.9 — 14.6 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Avenal High with a Scope Score of 44 and 8.0% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Avenal High
Reef-Sunset Unified Building Momentum
8.0%Developing
44/100
2Sunrise Continuation High
Reef-Sunset Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
22/100

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 Reef-Sunset 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 Reef-Sunset Unified a good school district?
Reef-Sunset Unified has 6 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 27.1/100, which is 16.7 points below the California state average of 43.8. 3.8% 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 Reef-Sunset Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Reef-Sunset Unified is Avenal High with a Scope Score of 44/100 and 8.0% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Reef-Sunset Unified spend per student?
Reef-Sunset Unified spends $13,418 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 Reef-Sunset Unified?
Teacher salaries in Reef-Sunset Unified range from $61,616–$138,513 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.