Photo: Julie Jordan Scott from Bakersfield, California, USA · CC BY 2.0Hanford’s public schools outscore 55% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Hanford, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 27% of students in Hanford’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Hanford’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 519 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Hanford’s, its schools beat 63%, higher than their 55% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 99% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Hanford Joint Union High spends $16,994 per student and Hanford Elementary $17,712, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Kings Valley Academy II, Pioneer Middle, Frontier Elementary and St. Rose-McCarthy Catholic School (private) are in town. Crossroads Charter Academy and Hanford Online Charter, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Hanford’s grade
B: better than 55% of California school districts, #425 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Hanford, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Hanford · depends on your address
John F. Kennedy Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 531 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Woodrow Wilson Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 505 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Jefferson Academy
Grades K–8 · 501 students · 28:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Hanford · depends on your address
John F. Kennedy Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 531 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Woodrow Wilson Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 505 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Jefferson Academy
Grades K–8 · 501 students · 28:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Hanford · depends on your address
Hanford High
Grades 9–12 · 1,498 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Hanford West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,331 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Sierra Pacific High
Grades 9–12 · 1,183 students · 26:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Hanford · depends on your address
Hanford High
Grades 9–12 · 1,498 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Hanford West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,331 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Sierra Pacific High
Grades 9–12 · 1,183 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Hanford runs its own schools through grade 8 (Hanford Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Hanford Joint Union High School District, shared with Visalia. Parts of Hanford (17%, 11%, 6% and 4% of its land) are served by Pioneer Union Elementary, Armona Union Elementary, Lakeside Union Elementary and Kit Carson Union Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Hanford
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Hanford vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Hanford’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Hanford | B | Hanford Elementary K–8 · Hanford Joint Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Hanford
23 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Hanford Elementary Community Day, J. C. Montgomery and Kings County SELPA Preschool).
Questions about Hanford’s schools
Are Hanford’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Hanford children attend outscore 55% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #425 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 63%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Hanford in?
Two districts: Hanford Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Hanford Joint Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Visalia.
Where do Hanford kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Hanford High, Hanford West High and Sierra Pacific High.
What is Hanford’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Hanford Joint Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Hanford spend per student?
$16,994 in Hanford Joint Union High School District and $17,712 in Hanford Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Hanford?
Yes: St. Rose-McCarthy Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 117 students). Hanford also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Hanford families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hanford → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.