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McFarland, Kern County, California. Homes in McFarland shacktown.Photo: Dorothea Lange · Public domain
C+
Schools in McFarland · McFarland Unified School District

McFarland’s public schools score below 57% of California districts on tests and graduation

17% of students in McFarland’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving McFarland, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#574of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
33%
▼ 14 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
17%
▼ 16 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95%
▲ 9 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.2K
▼ 10% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
23.8
CA 21.6 · larger classes
Schools in town
6
3,216 students on the public path
In brief

McFarland’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 309 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of McFarland’s, its schools beat 59%, higher than their 43% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 33% of tested students were proficient in reading and 17% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $19,167 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is McFarland Junior High, then McFarland High School Early College. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind McFarland’s grade

C Test scoresB+ Graduation

C+: better than 43% of California school districts, #574 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 43%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (309)Better than 59%
C+B−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,884 test results and a graduating class of 291 could put McFarland anywhere from C+ to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of McFarland’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,887 in math, 1,880 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve McFarland, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–63 schoolsDepends on your addressD to C−
7–8McFarland Junior HighMcFarland Unified School DistrictC−
9–12McFarland High School Early CollegeMcFarland Unified School DistrictC+

McFarland’s public schools are run by McFarland Unified School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

McFarland Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 7 schools · 3,282 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 23.8 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$19,167CA $21,206 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading33%
State average 46.7% · 1880 students tested
Math17%
State average 33.1% · 1887 students tested

McFarland vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share McFarland’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
McFarlandC+McFarland Unified

Every school in McFarland

6 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).

District schools in McFarlandby address
Kern Avenue Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
C−
700 students25:1Rate it →
Horizon Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
C−
542 students26:1Rate it →
Browning Road STEAM Academy
Elementary · Grades K–6
D
453 students25:1Rate it →
McFarland Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8
C−
494 students22:1Rate it →
McFarland High School Early College
High · Grades 9–12
C+
1,027 students23:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
San Joaquin High (Continuation)
High · Grades 9–12
C−
Alternative Education
43 students20:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (McFarland Independent).

Questions about McFarland’s schools

Are McFarland’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools McFarland children attend score below 57% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #574 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 59%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is McFarland in?

McFarland Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 3,282 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do McFarland kids go to high school?

McFarland High School Early College, with 1,027 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is McFarland’s graduation rate?

95% of the class of 2023 in McFarland Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does McFarland spend per student?

$19,167 in McFarland Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What McFarland families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near McFarland → 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.