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Santa Paula Unified

Below Average2024–25 data8 schools · avg 37.9/100

Santa Paula Unified has 8 ranked schools across elementary and high levels with an average Scope Score of 37.9/100 — 5.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Santa Paula High at 55/100, where 11.1% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $15,290 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 21.5%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
37.9
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
30.3
24.7 – 55.0
Avg Exceeded %
10.0%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
21.5%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
8
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryDeveloping
36.6/100
611.3%17.4%
HighDeveloping
41.6/100
26.2%33.7%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
36.6
avg score · 6 schools
McKevett Elementary
Developing
45/100
Grace Thille Elementary
Developing
41/100
Glen City Elementary
Developing
38/100
+3 more elementary schools
High
41.6
avg score · 2 schools
Santa Paula High
Solid
55/100
Renaissance High
Needs Support
28/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Santa Paula Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 41.6.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -0.7pp (state avg: -3.0pp), growth is essentially flat.

Consistency: Score range of 30.3 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 21.5%, 3.4pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 4.0%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Santa Paula High leads the district at 55 with 11.1% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Santa Paula Unified

3 On the Rise5 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 3 schools in Santa Paula 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
94.5%
White
3.9%
Asian
0.2%
Black
0.4%
Other
0.9%
Free/Reduced Lunch
79%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Santa Paula Unified spends $15,290 per student in current expenditures — $476 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$15,290
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
5,081
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 19.4%
$12,803 → $15,290
Spending Efficiency
2.48
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 63%Support 34%Other 3%
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
$64,531–$111,310
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
467
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (6)

Santa Paula Unified has 6 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 36.6 — 7.1 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth is essentially flat at -0.7pp.

The highest-scoring elementary school is McKevett Elementary with a Scope Score of 45 and 18.2% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1McKevett Elementary
Santa Paula Unified Building Momentum
18.2%Developing
45/100
2Grace Thille Elementary
Santa Paula Unified On the Rise
13.5%Developing
41/100
3Glen City Elementary
Santa Paula Unified On the Rise
10.9%Developing
38/100
4Barbara Webster Elementary
Santa Paula Unified On the Rise
11.9%Developing
37/100
5Thelma Bedell Elementary
Santa Paula Unified Building Momentum
9.0%Developing
34/100
6Blanchard Elementary
Santa Paula Unified Building Momentum
4.1%Needs Support
25/100

High Schools (2)

Santa Paula Unified has 2 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 41.6 — 5.9 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Santa Paula High with a Scope Score of 55 and 11.1% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Santa Paula High
Santa Paula Unified Building Momentum
11.1%Solid
55/100
2Renaissance High
Santa Paula Unified Building Momentum
1.4%Needs Support
28/100

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 Santa Paula 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 Santa Paula Unified a good school district?
Santa Paula Unified has 8 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 37.9/100, which is 5.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. 10.0% 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 Santa Paula Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Santa Paula Unified is Santa Paula High with a Scope Score of 55/100 and 11.1% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Santa Paula Unified spend per student?
Santa Paula Unified spends $15,290 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 Santa Paula Unified?
Teacher salaries in Santa Paula Unified range from $64,531–$111,310 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.