Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0Taft’s public schools score below 81% of California districts on tests and graduation
In Taft, 15% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Taft, 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.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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.
Taft’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 503 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Taft’s, its schools beat 3%, lower than their 19% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Taft runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Lincoln Junior High (6–8) is Taft’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Taft Union High School District: Taft Union High. The high school’s own results earn a C+. See the path ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Taft City spends $17,005 per student and Taft Union High $24,903, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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 Taft’s grade
C−: better than 19% of California school districts, #829 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 Taft, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Taft · depends on your address
Parkview Elementary
Grades K–3 · 328 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Taft Primary
Grades K–3 · 231 students · 21:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Taft · depends on your address
Parkview Elementary
Grades K–3 · 328 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Taft Primary
Grades K–3 · 231 students · 21:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Taft · depends on your address
Roosevelt Elementary
Grades 2–5 · 520 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Parkview Elementary
Grades K–3 · 328 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Taft Primary
Grades K–3 · 231 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Taft runs its own schools through grade 8 (Taft City School District). From grade 9, students attend the Taft Union High School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Taft
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Taft vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Taft’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Taft | C− | Taft City K–8 · Taft Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Taft
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).
Questions about Taft’s schools
Are Taft’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Taft children attend score below 81% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #829 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 3%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Taft in?
Two districts: Taft City School District runs grades K–8, and Taft Union High School District runs grades 9–12.
Where do Taft kids go to high school?
Taft Union High, with 1,064 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Taft’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Taft Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Taft spend per student?
$17,005 in Taft City School District and $24,903 in Taft Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Taft families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Taft → 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.