Best Public Schools in Wasco, CA

Wasco, California, is served by 10 public schools across four districts, educating approximately 5,300 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in a community where the vast majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Among these schools, Wasco High stands out as the top performer, with strong English scores and a 96% graduation rate that exceeds state averages, despite high economic need. In contrast, the elementary and middle schools within the Wasco Union Elementary district, such as Palm Avenue Middle, generally lag behind state academic benchmarks, with a noticeable drop in student performance during the middle school years. Math proficiency is a particular challenge across all schools, with none meeting the state average.

Attendance and resources vary significantly. James A. Forrest Elementary has excellent attendance, while the smaller Pond Elementary and Semitropic Elementary have very low absenteeism and smaller class sizes. Wasco Independence High, part of the Wasco Union High district, serves high-need students with intensive support, reflected in much higher per-student spending.