The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Roosevelt Elementary
Roosevelt Elementary serves grades four and five in Taft, a small oil-industry town in southwestern Kern County. The school sits in a place defined by oil field operations, lower housing costs than surrounding areas, and a tight-knit community character rooted in early-twentieth-century industry. The broader Taft economy centers on the Midway-Sunset Oil Field, nearby correctional facilities, and Taft College.
The school's academic performance in 2024-25 reflects substantial challenges. In English language arts, proficiency sits below the state middle ground, with fourth graders showing performance in the low-to-mid range and fifth graders slightly higher but still well below proficiency benchmarks. Mathematics proficiency is considerably lower, with fourth graders in the low range and fifth graders notably weaker. Science proficiency, tested only in fifth grade, is also low. Taken across all tested subjects, Roosevelt's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among the county's districts, though that comparison reflects the relatively widespread academic pressure across Kern County schools rather than a sign of strength. A parent should recognize that the majority of students are not meeting grade-level standards in the core subjects measured by California's assessments. One year of data alone does not tell a trend story, so a parent may want to look into the school's earlier performance and what instructional changes or supports are underway.
The student body is economically disadvantaged and predominantly Hispanic. A very large share of enrolled students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating substantial poverty in the school community. The enrollment is small by elementary standards, split nearly evenly between the two grades served. The school did not report counts or rates for students with disabilities or English learners; a parent seeking that information should contact the school directly.
Taft is a small community with lower median home values than the California state average and well below the national benchmark. Monthly mortgage costs and rent-to-income ratios are both modest relative to the state, reflecting the town's economic profile. New housing development is underway as part of the city's infill strategy, and the area is described as experiencing modest resurgence tied to continued oil field activity. Schools and civic anchors, including Taft College and the historic Fox Theatre, sit somewhat removed from the downtown core in a campus-style layout.
The Taft City School District operates this school and others in the area. No recent major bond measures, parcel taxes, or significant parent-facing policy changes were found in a recent search of district news and records, so the focus here remains on the school itself and its immediate context.
Roosevelt is a regular public school serving the elementary grades in a rural, economically working community where the majority of students enter the school with substantial unmet academic needs and family economic strain. The school's role, as reflected in its proficiency data, is to serve that population in an area where resources and academic outcomes have historically been stretched. For families in Taft seeking elementary education, Roosevelt is the neighborhood option; understanding its current performance levels and what supports exist for struggling readers and mathematicians is essential to forming realistic expectations and advocating for help when needed.
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