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Schools in Terra Bella · Porterville Unified School District, Terra Bella Union Elementary School District

Terra Bella’s public schools score below 69% of California districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Terra Bella’s districts is 24%, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Terra Bella, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

K–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 2020’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
35%
▼ 12 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
24%
▼ 9 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Spent per student
$20.8K
▼ 2% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Terra Bella Union Elementary
Students per teacher
21.7
CA 21.6
Schools in town
2
717 students on the public path
In brief

Terra Bella’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 402 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Terra Bella’s, its schools beat 24%, lower than their 31% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $20,763 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Carl Smith Middle. Enrollment is down 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Terra Bella’s grade

C+ Test scores

C: better than 31% of California school districts. Test scores are below the California average; there is no graduation rate to add.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 31%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (402)Better than 24%
CC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 538 test results could put Terra Bella anywhere from C to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Terra Bella’s students in the tested grades sat them (540 in math, 537 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–5Terra Bella ElementaryTerra Bella Union Elementary School DistrictC−
6–8Carl Smith MiddleTerra Bella Union Elementary School DistrictC−

To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Terra Bella

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

Porterville Unified School DistrictGrades · 0 schools · 0 students
Terra Bella Union Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 2 schools · 717 students, down 12% since 2020–21 · 21.7 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$20,763CA $21,206 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · K–8, Terra Bella Union Elementary School District35%
State average 46.7% · 537 students tested
Math · K–8, Terra Bella Union Elementary School District24%
State average 33.1% · 540 students tested

Terra Bella vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Terra BellaCTerra Bella Union Elementary K–8 · Porterville Unified

Every school in Terra Bella

2 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 Terra Bellaby address
Terra Bella Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
C−
455 students23:1Rate it →
Carl Smith Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
262 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Terra Bella’s schools

Are Terra Bella’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Terra Bella children attend score below 69% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 24%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020.

What school district is Terra Bella in?

Porterville Unified School District, which runs grades and enrolls 0 students in 0 schools (2024–25).

How much does Terra Bella spend per student?

$20,763 in Terra Bella Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Terra Bella families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Terra Bella → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2020) 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.