Maricopa Unified, CA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Maricopa Unified

Maricopa Unified is a small district spanning Kern County in California, serving a combined enrollment of around three hundred students across a kindergarten-through-twelfth-grade span. The district operates three schools: Maricopa Elementary, Maricopa Middle, and Maricopa High. It is located in and draws from the Maricopa area as well as surrounding communities.

Academic performance data shows proficiency rates well below the Kern County median across tested subjects. In math, state testing results range from around one in six students meeting proficiency in grades three through eight, with the highest rate appearing in grade five. English language arts performance is comparatively stronger, with students in grade seven reaching proficiency at about a third of the tested population, though other grades remain lower. Science testing in grade five shows proficiency around one in four students; by grade eight, science proficiency drops sharply. The district's overall proficiency index sits in the bottom quartile among Kern County's districts. Chronic absenteeism is also notably high relative to the county, running above the county median significantly.

Student demographics reflect the makeup of the rural and semi-rural areas the district serves. The enrollment is roughly split between Hispanic and white students, with small numbers of Native American students and students of other backgrounds. Demographic data on English learner and special education populations is not available in the records accessed. Free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility counts are also absent from the data. The district's small size means grade-level cohorts typically number in the low twenties to low thirties, making per-pupil resource allocation an ongoing consideration.

Housing values in the district's service area vary considerably across zip codes. The weighted median home value reflects a moderate price point for the region, with affordability metrics suggesting a mortgage payment somewhat above typical California benchmarks. Rental data is more limited but indicates modestly stable rent. The local economy includes unemployment tracking near national averages.

No recent data is available on the district's four-year high school graduation rate. Program offerings, staffing ratios, and discipline practices are not documented in the available records. District-level strategic or curriculum changes within the past few years did not surface in public reporting. Per-pupil spending runs above the county median, suggesting concentrated resources in a small enrollment base.

A parent considering this district should understand that test results are persistently low and chronic absenteeism is a significant concern. The small enrollment creates both familiarity and limited course breadth at the high school level. Housing costs are moderate relative to coastal California but vary depending on proximity to Bakersfield. Direct contact with the schools about graduation pathways, elective offerings, and strategies to address attendance would be prudent.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

306

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 56%

Black 1%

White 41%

Am. Indian / AK Native 2%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 1%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

24%

—

Gr 3

16%

—

Gr 4

14%

—

Gr 5

23%

—

Gr 6

24%

—

Gr 7

33%

—

Gr 8

16%

—

Gr 11

46%

—

Math

Gr ALL

16%

—

Gr 3

16%

—

Gr 4

19%

—

Gr 5

20%

—

Gr 6

14%

—

Gr 7

15%

—

Gr 8

16%

—

Gr 11

—

Science

Gr ALL

—

Gr 5

23%

—

Gr 8

11%

—

Gr HS

17%

—

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

Maricopa Elementary

Maricopa High

Maricopa Middle

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

16%

Grade 3

19%

Grade 4

20%

Grade 5

14%

Grade 6

14%

Grade 7

16%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

16%

Grade 3

14%

Grade 4

23%

Grade 5

24%

Grade 6

32%

Grade 7

16%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

23%

Grade 5

11%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

31%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$344,766

Year-over-year change-3.9%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$182K to $475K

vs. state typical0.44x

vs. national typical0.94x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
93222	Pine Mountain Club	$379K	-5.2%	39.1%
93252	Maricopa	$182K	-5.0%	31.0%
93311	Bakersfield	$475K	-1.0%	26.5%
93313	Bakersfield	$416K	-0.7%	3.4%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$2,079/mo

Year-over-year change+2.0%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$2,043 to $2,354/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
93311	Bakersfield	$2,043	+2.0%	26.5%
93313	Bakersfield	$2,354	+2.1%	3.4%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,740/mo

Home price / national median income4.1x

Annual rent / national median income29.8%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$339/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$776,233 (-1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.