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Tehachapi Unified

Below Average2024–25 data7 schools · avg 34.7/100

Tehachapi Unified has 7 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 34.7/100 — 9.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Tehachapi High at 53/100, where 13.2% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $11,615 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 33.0%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
34.7
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
27.1
25.9 – 53.0
Avg Exceeded %
9.6%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
33.0%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
7
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryDeveloping
33.3/100
411.8%26.3%
MiddleNeeds Support
27.2/100
16.6%28.9%
HighDeveloping
41.3/100
26.6%48.5%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
33.3
avg score · 4 schools
Golden Hills Elementary
Needs Support
28/100
Tompkins Elementary
Needs Support
27/100
+1 more elementary schools
Middle
27.2
avg score · 1 school
Jacobsen Middle
Needs Support
27/100
High
41.3
avg score · 2 schools
Tehachapi High
Solid
53/100
Monroe High (Continuation)
Needs Support
30/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Tehachapi Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 41.3.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages +0.5pp (state avg: -3.0pp), suggesting schools are making incremental gains.

Consistency: Score range of 27.1 points — showing notable variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 33.0%, 14.9pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 2.5%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Tehachapi High leads the district at 53 with 13.2% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Tehachapi Unified

1 On the Rise6 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 1 school in Tehachapi 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
40.0%
White
52.7%
Asian
0.8%
Black
0.9%
Other
5.7%
Free/Reduced Lunch
44%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Tehachapi Unified spends $11,615 per student in current expenditures — $3,200 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$11,615
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
3,971
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 18.6%
$9,793 → $11,615
Spending Efficiency
2.99
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 56%Support 42%Other 2%
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
$53,853–$105,430
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
205
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (4)

Tehachapi Unified has 4 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 33.3 — 10.5 points below the state average of 43.8.

District-wide growth averages +0.5pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Cummings Valley Elementary with a Scope Score of 52 and 22.4% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Cummings Valley Elementary
Tehachapi Unified Building Momentum
22.4%Solid
52/100
2Golden Hills Elementary
Tehachapi Unified On the Rise
7.6%Needs Support
28/100
3Tompkins Elementary
Tehachapi Unified Building Momentum
9.6%Needs Support
27/100
4Tehachapi Independent Learning Academy
Tehachapi Unified Building Momentum
7.5%Needs Support
26/100

Middle Schools (1)

Tehachapi Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 27.2 — 13.2 points below the state average of 40.5.

District-wide growth averages +1.7pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring middle school is Jacobsen Middle with a Scope Score of 27 and 6.6% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Jacobsen Middle
Tehachapi Unified Building Momentum
6.6%Needs Support
27/100

High Schools (2)

Tehachapi Unified has 2 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 41.3 — 6.2 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Tehachapi High with a Scope Score of 53 and 13.2% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Tehachapi High
Tehachapi Unified Building Momentum
13.2%Solid
53/100
2Monroe High (Continuation)
Tehachapi Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
30/100

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 Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi Unified a good school district?
Tehachapi Unified has 7 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 34.7/100, which is 9.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. 9.6% 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 Tehachapi Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Tehachapi Unified is Tehachapi High with a Scope Score of 53/100 and 13.2% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Tehachapi Unified spend per student?
Tehachapi Unified spends $11,615 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 Tehachapi Unified?
Teacher salaries in Tehachapi Unified range from $53,853–$105,430 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.