Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Shafter

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Shafter FountainPhoto: Brittneal · CC BY-SA 4.0
C+
Schools in Shafter · Kern High School District, Richland Union School District

Shafter’s public schools score below 60% of California districts on tests and graduation

In Shafter, 16% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Shafter, 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.

#621of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 90% 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
44%
▼ 3 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
16%
▼ 18 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85%
▼ 1 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.1K
▼ 10% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Kern High
Students per teacher
23.7
CA 21.6 · larger classes
Schools in town
8
4,009 students on the public path
In brief

Shafter’s schools, in brief

Shafter runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares

Richland Junior High (7–8) is Shafter’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Kern High School District with Arvin and Bakersfield: Shafter High. The high school’s own results earn an A, the highest on the path. See the path ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 90% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Kern High spends $19,073 per student and Richland Union $22,540, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Grow Academy Shafter and Free Will Christian Academy (private) are in town. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Shafter’s grade

C+ Test scoresC Graduation

C+: better than 40% of California school districts, #621 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 40%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (489)Better than 36%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 11,263 test results and a graduating class of 10,701 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 90% of Shafter’s students in the tested grades sat them (11,225 in math, 11,300 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–63 schoolsDepends on your addressD to C−
7–8Richland Junior HighRichland Union School DistrictC−
9–12Shafter HighKern High School DistrictA

Shafter runs its own schools through grade 8 (Richland Union School District). From grade 9, students attend the Kern High School District, shared with Arvin and Bakersfield. Parts of Shafter (8%, 8% and 4% of its land) are served by Rio Bravo-Greeley Union Elementary, Norris Elementary and Rosedale Union Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Shafter

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

Kern High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 25 schools · 42,814 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 24.1 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$19,073CA $21,206 · FY2024
B−
Richland Union School DistrictGrades K–8 · 4 schools · 2,410 students, down 10% since 2020–21 · 17.7 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$22,540CA $21,206 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading · 9–12, Kern High School District47%
State average 46.7% · 9518 students tested
Math · 9–12, Kern High School District16%
State average 33.1% · 9445 students tested
Reading · K–8, Richland Union School District27%
State average 46.7% · 1782 students tested
Math · K–8, Richland Union School District13%
State average 33.1% · 1780 students tested

Shafter vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ShafterC+Richland Union K–8 · Kern High 9–12

Every school in Shafter

8 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 Shafterby address
Golden Oak Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
C−
717 students18:1Rate it →
Redwood Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
D
601 students20:1Rate it →
Sequoia Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
C−
534 students16:1Rate it →
Richland Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8
C−
558 students16:1Rate it →
Shafter High
High · Grades 9–12
A
1,599 students22:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Central Valley High (Continuation)
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
86 students13:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Grow Academy Shafter
Elementary · Grades K–8
B−
Charter
80 students15:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Free Will Christian Academy
Grades K–11
Private · Religious
20 students5:1Rate it →

Questions about Shafter’s schools

Are Shafter’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Shafter children attend score below 60% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #621 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Shafter in?

Two districts: Richland Union School District runs grades K–8, and Kern High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Arvin and Bakersfield.

Where do Shafter kids go to high school?

Shafter High, with 1,599 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Shafter’s graduation rate?

85% of the class of 2023 in Kern High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Shafter spend per student?

$19,073 in Kern High School District and $22,540 in Richland Union School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Shafter?

Yes: Free Will Christian Academy (religious, grades K–11, 20 students). Shafter also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Shafter families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Shafter → 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.