ExploreMapCompareBlogSign in

Golden Plains Unified

Below Average2024–25 data4 schools · avg 29.4/100

Golden Plains Unified has 4 ranked schools across elementary and high levels with an average Scope Score of 29.4/100 — 14.3 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Tranquillity High at 46/100, where 8.3% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $17,077 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 24.3%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
29.4
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
22.2
23.7 – 45.9
Avg Exceeded %
5.4%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
24.3%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryNeeds Support
23.9/100
34.4%21.7%
HighDeveloping
45.9/100
18.3%31.8%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
23.9
avg score · 3 schools
San Joaquin Elementary
Needs Support
24/100
Cantua Elementary
Needs Support
24/100
Tranquillity Elementary
Needs Support
24/100
High
45.9
avg score · 1 school
Tranquillity High
Developing
46/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Golden Plains Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 45.9.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -12.0pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 22.2 points — showing notable variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 24.3%, 6.1pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 3.7%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Tranquillity High leads the district at 46 with 8.3% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Golden Plains Unified

1 Culture First3 Building Momentum

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

Student demographics

Hispanic
96.3%
White
1.7%
Asian
0.3%
Black
1.6%
Other
0.1%
Free/Reduced Lunch
96%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Golden Plains Unified spends $17,077 per student in current expenditures — $2,262 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$17,077
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
1,520
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 17.8%
$14,494 → $17,077
Spending Efficiency
1.72
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 51%Support 42%Other 7%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Elementary Schools (3)

Golden Plains Unified has 3 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 23.9 — 19.8 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -12.0pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is San Joaquin Elementary with a Scope Score of 24 and 3.0% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1San Joaquin Elementary
Golden Plains Unified Building Momentum
3.0%Needs Support
24/100
2Cantua Elementary
Golden Plains Unified Culture First
4.1%Needs Support
24/100
3Tranquillity Elementary
Golden Plains Unified Building Momentum
6.1%Needs Support
24/100

High Schools (1)

Golden Plains Unified has 1 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 45.9 — 1.5 points near the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Tranquillity High with a Scope Score of 46 and 8.3% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Tranquillity High
Golden Plains Unified Building Momentum
8.3%Developing
46/100

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 Golden Plains 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 Golden Plains Unified a good school district?
Golden Plains Unified has 4 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 29.4/100, which is 14.3 points below the California state average of 43.8. 5.4% 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 Golden Plains Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Golden Plains Unified is Tranquillity High with a Scope Score of 46/100 and 8.3% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Golden Plains Unified spend per student?
Golden Plains Unified spends $17,077 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 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.