1. Home
  2. California
  3. Taft
  4. Taft Union High
  5. Taft Union High

Taft Union High

Summary:

Taft Union High is a public high school located in Taft, California, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 1,102 students. The school is part of the Taft Union High School District, which is ranked 1168 out of 1568 districts in California and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Taft Union High consistently performs below the state average in academic assessments, with only 46.22% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy and 14.64% proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to the state averages of 55.73% and 27.9%, respectively. The school's performance is particularly low for certain student subgroups, such as White students and Disabled students, who rank in the bottom 20% of California high schools in their respective categories. While Taft Union High maintains a relatively high four-year graduation rate, its dropout rate has fluctuated, ranging from 2.1% to 5.4% in recent years, which is higher than the state's average. Additionally, the school has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 13.4% in 2018-2019 to 48.7% in 2020-2021, much higher than the state average.

Interestingly, when compared to nearby schools, Cuyama Valley High outperforms Taft Union High in some areas, such as graduation rates and academic achievement in certain subjects, while Maricopa High, which has a similar student population and socioeconomic status, demonstrates higher academic performance and lower chronic absenteeism. Additionally, Buena Vista High (Continuation), a school within the same district, performs significantly worse than Taft Union High across various metrics.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 701 Wildcat Way
       Taft, CA  93268-2319

(661) 763-2300

District: Taft Union High

SchoolDigger Rank:
1188th of 2,323 California High Schools


Feeder schools for Taft Union High:

Elementary:    Conley Elementary
    Elk Hills Elementary
    Jefferson Elementary
    McKittrick Elementary
    More...
Middle:    Lincoln Junior High

Student/teacher ratio:  18.3 Help
Number of students:  1,045

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
61.6%
White:
35.0%
Two or more races:
1.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  81.3% Help


 See top rated California high schools

 Compare Taft Union High to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Taft Union High ranks worse than 51.1% of high schools in California. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 38.04. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Taft Union High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (61.6%), White (35%), two or more races (1.3%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 81.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Taft Union High is 18.3. (See more...)
Help
Compare Taft Union High employs 56.8 full-time teachers.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Taft Union High:

SchoolDigger ranks Taft Union High 1188th of 2323 California public high schools. (See Taft Union High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Migrant students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Taft Union High:

SchoolDigger ranks Taft Union High 1168th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Taft Union High?

Rank History for Taft Union High

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 48.16 529th 1653 68.0%
2005 54.42 514th 1901 73.0%
2006 47.68 677th 1968 65.6%
2007 47.94 703rd 2063 65.9%
2008 43.57 829th 2117 60.8%
2009 51.53 703rd 2238 68.6%
2010 67.85 335th 2281 85.3%
2011 66.01 379th 2367 84.0%
2012 66.91 367th 2354 84.4%
2013 67.48 354th 2426 85.4%
2015 41.77 1135th 1994 43.1%
2016 44.20 1120th 2039 45.1%
2017 40.73 1228th 2021 39.2%
2018 40.66 1201st 2017 40.5%
2019 35.86 1322nd 2133 38.0%
2021 33.93 852nd 1290 34.0%
2022 29.47 1441st 2123 32.1%
2023 27.05 1503rd 2348 36.0%
2024 38.04 1188th 2323 48.9%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 3.15 409th 422 3.1%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.40 739th 938 21.2%
2019 28.42 815th 941 13.4%
2021 21.70 414th 467 11.3%
2022 27.15 945th 1044 9.5%
2023 41.68 430th 1323 67.5%
2024 35.04 625th 1350 53.7%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 25.85 1142nd 1547 26.2%
2024 42.43 657th 1534 57.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.31 1117th 1862 40.0%
2019 37.64 1217th 1937 37.2%
2021 36.11 751st 1126 33.3%
2022 31.53 1326th 1943 31.8%
2023 32.24 1359th 2247 39.5%
2024 44.68 993rd 2235 55.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Migrant students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 28.64 70th 89 21.3%
2024 11.83 95th 100 5.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Migrant Students!

Rank History for Female students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 36.18 1175th 1760 33.2%
2019 30.35 1268th 1833 30.8%
2021 27.32 796th 1054 24.5%
2022 28.71 1304th 1858 29.8%
2023 26.11 1431st 2118 32.4%
2024 35.45 1213th 2098 42.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.11 839th 1052 20.2%
2019 18.18 1062nd 1117 4.9%
2021 38.77 306th 555 44.9%
2022 25.69 962nd 1161 17.1%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.63 1108th 1834 39.6%
2019 36.36 1154th 1880 38.6%
2021 34.82 733rd 1122 34.7%
2022 26.55 1371st 1916 28.4%
2023 26.11 1443rd 2207 34.6%
2024 37.89 1102nd 2172 49.3%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.89 1050th 1742 39.7%
2019 36.80 1155th 1814 36.3%
2022 27.75 1361st 1861 26.9%
2023 24.87 1490th 2142 30.4%
2024 40.33 1109th 2125 47.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Taft Union High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.92 940th 1173 19.9%
2019 21.68 984th 1222 19.5%
2022 17.69 1017th 1204 15.5%
2023 16.34 1147th 1434 20.0%
2024 21.47 1038th 1406 26.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Taft Union High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
Help




Data source: California Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Taft Union High.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Taft Union High, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Taft Union High

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 827 0 13 38 2 n/a n/a 0 880
1989 813 0 19 62 5 n/a n/a 0 899
1990 726 1 16 77 1 n/a n/a 0 821
1991 764 1 17 77 2 n/a n/a 0 861
1992 837 1 19 88 3 n/a n/a 0 948
1993 842 2 13 103 4 n/a n/a 0 964
1994 826 2 17 114 5 n/a n/a 0 964
1995 769 5 13 123 3 n/a n/a 0 913
1996 769 5 13 123 3 n/a n/a 0 913
1997 763 4 16 120 6 n/a n/a 0 909
1998 728 5 11 127 8 n/a n/a 0 879
1999 747 3 13 140 6 n/a n/a 0 909
2000 704 4 21 136 5 n/a n/a 0 870
2001 706 5 18 159 6 n/a n/a 0 894
2002 675 6 23 187 11 n/a n/a 0 902
2003 675 6 23 187 11 n/a n/a 0 902
2004 705 5 27 217 6 n/a n/a 0 960
2005 676 2 30 241 9 n/a n/a 9 967
2006 605 4 28 259 11 n/a n/a 5 912
2007 590 11 23 287 12 n/a n/a 4 927
2008 590 9 25 318 14 n/a n/a 0 956
2009 567 13 9 319 13 13 16 0 950
2010 539 7 4 356 7 10 40 0 963
2011 508 6 6 364 9 11 31 0 935
2012 519 7 6 379 16 12 21 0 960
2013 487 9 6 384 22 12 19 0 939
2014 512 8 7 399 23 10 15 0 974
2015 527 10 6 389 22 13 18 0 985
2016 512 9 4 402 20 12 21 0 980
2017 486 7 5 426 16 9 19 0 968
2018 462 6 9 428 15 9 25 0 954
2019 404 3 5 483 12 6 27 0 940
2020 394 6 7 533 7 5 24 0 976
2021 411 7 6 580 4 2 13 0 1023
2022 423 13 10 605 5 3 13 0 1072
2023 425 9 10 637 6 1 14 0 1102
2024 366 6 9 644 5 1 14 0 1045

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Taft Union High

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 880 45.0 19.5 n/a
1989 899 42.2 21.3 n/a
1990 821 44.8 18.3 n/a
1991 861 44.2 19.4 n/a
1992 948 44.9 21.1 16.6
1993 964 52.4 18.4 23.7
1994 964 53.4 18.1 24
1995 913 51.0 17.9 26.9
1996 913 51.0 17.9 26.9
1997 909 51.0 17.8 29.7
1998 879 51.0 17.2 32.4
1999 909 50.8 17.9 34.5
2000 870 53.4 16.3 36
2001 894 54.2 16.5 38.6
2002 902 55.2 16.3 37.8
2003 902 55.2 16.3 37.8
2004 960 59.8 16.1 47.1
2005 967 61.9 15.6 49
2006 912 63.3 14.4 50.6
2007 927 63.0 14.7 47.3
2008 956 77.9 12.3 45.7
2009 950 64.0 12.8 43.4
2010 963 64.8 14.8 50.1
2011 935 n/a n/a 48.4
2012 960 65.0 14.7 n/a
2013 939 62.8 14.9 53.5
2014 974 59.8 16.2 53.2
2015 985 62.0 15.8 55.2
2016 980 62.0 15.8 59.2
2017 968 67.3 14.3 58.3
2018 954 65.8 14.4 61.8
2019 940 50.0 18.7 64.4
2020 976 n/a n/a 65.3
2021 1023 52.2 19.5 79.8
2022 1072 54.4 19.6 81.3
2023 1102 56.3 19.5 59.4
2024 1045 56.8 18.3 81.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Taft Union High

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 880 45.0 19.5 n/a
1989 899 42.2 21.3 n/a
1990 821 44.8 18.3 n/a
1991 861 44.2 19.4 n/a
1992 948 44.9 21.1 16.6
1993 964 52.4 18.4 23.7
1994 964 53.4 18.1 24
1995 913 51.0 17.9 26.9
1996 913 51.0 17.9 26.9
1997 909 51.0 17.8 29.7
1998 879 51.0 17.2 32.4
1999 909 50.8 17.9 34.5
2000 870 53.4 16.3 36
2001 894 54.2 16.5 38.6
2002 902 55.2 16.3 37.8
2003 902 55.2 16.3 37.8
2004 960 59.8 16.1 47.1
2005 967 61.9 15.6 49
2006 912 63.3 14.4 50.6
2007 927 63.0 14.7 47.3
2008 956 77.9 12.3 45.7
2009 950 64.0 12.8 43.4
2010 963 64.8 14.8 50.1
2011 935 n/a n/a 48.4
2012 960 65.0 14.7 n/a
2013 939 62.8 14.9 53.5
2014 974 59.8 16.2 53.2
2015 985 62.0 15.8 55.2
2016 980 62.0 15.8 59.2
2017 968 67.3 14.3 58.3
2018 954 65.8 14.4 61.8
2019 940 50.0 18.7 64.4
2020 976 n/a n/a 65.3
2021 1023 52.2 19.5 79.8
2022 1072 54.4 19.6 81.3
2023 1102 56.3 19.5 59.4
2024 1045 56.8 18.3 81.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Taft Union High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 1322nd of 2133 High schoolsRanks 1503rd of 2348 High schools
 2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Taft Union High)33.533.5
 0%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Taft Union High)32.629.9
 2.7%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Taft Union High)14.47.4
 6.9%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Taft Union High)13.56.3
 7.2%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
11th Grade Science (Taft Union High)12.418.7
 6.3%
   11th Grade Science (Taft Union High)11.716.5
 4.8%
   11th Grade Science (California)30.431.7
 1.3%
12th Grade Science (Taft Union High)200
 20%
   12th Grade Science (Taft Union High)14.70
 14.7%
   12th Grade Science (California)25.626.9
 1.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students9401102
 17.2%
African American39
 200%
American Indian126
 50%
Asian510
 100%
Hispanic483637
 31.9%
Pacific Islander61
 83.3%
White404425
 5.2%
Two or More Races2714
 48.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients64.4%59.4%
 4.9%

Schools Near Taft Union High








Frequently Asked Questions about Taft Union High

Taft Union High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Conley Elementary
Elementary : Elk Hills Elementary
Elementary : Jefferson Elementary
Elementary : McKittrick Elementary
Elementary : Midway Elementary
Elementary : Parkview Elementary
Elementary : Roosevelt Elementary
Elementary : Taft Primary
Middle : Lincoln Junior High

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,045 students attended Taft Union High.

Students at Taft Union High are 62% Hispanic, 35% White, 1% Two or more races.

Taft Union High ranks 1188th of 2323 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


Rate Taft Union High!



Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...


Compare to nearby schools

CACalifornia High School Rankings

CACalifornia District Rankings

Schools in Taft, CA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Taft Union High!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 2475 milliseconds.