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Email BoardPaul L. Cato Middle
4115 Vineland Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306-2835
Summary
Paul L. Cato Middle is underperforming.
Reading and math results average to the 63rd percentile among comparable California schools.
54.7% of students met California's reading standard, and it is slowly trending up.
Math is weaker: 35.6% of students met California's math standard, but it is slowly trending up.
Proficiency stats
| Current Reading Proficiency | 54.7% |
| Current Math Proficiency | 35.6% |
| Reading State Rank | 404/1,204 (67th percentile) |
| Math State Rank | 487/1,204 (60th percentile) |
School information
| Student / Teacher Ratio | 22:1 |
| Student enrollment (2024–25) | 694 |
| Low-Income Students | 411 (59.2%) |
| English Learners | 50 (7.2%) |
School Website
Great Schools
Niche
Ed-Data
CAASPP| Admissions | Open enrollment |
|---|---|
| Charter school | No |
| Magnet school | No |
Test score trends
Reading rose 5.6 points from last year and rose 4.4 points over the full period. Math rose 2.7 points from last year and rose 3.3 points over the full period.
•Math +3.3 percentage points (2024–2026)Reading Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
Filipino and Asian students have the strongest results.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the reading standard ranges from 50.8% to 58.9% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s reading results rank in the top 34% among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 14.7-point reading income gap is narrower than the 19.5-point gap at a typical California 6–8 school. It narrowed over the period shown.
•
English Learners vs English Native
4.5% of English learners meet the reading standard, compared with 57.9% of English-only students. The gap widened as English-learner results fell and English-only results rose.
•Math Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
Filipino students have the strongest math results at about 77% proficiency. The other reported groups range from about 31% to 53%.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the math standard ranges from 32.1% to 43.8% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s math results rank in the top 41% among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 25.2-point math income gap is wider than the 19.2-point gap at a typical California 6–8 school. It narrowed over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
4.5% of English learners meet the math standard, compared with 38.2% of English-only students. The gap narrowed as English-learner results rose and English-only results rose.
•Progress as students move up
2023–2026
How we compare income gaps
“Typical” means the median gap across 795 schools for reading and 796 for math. The comparison uses 2026 California 6–8 schools with at least 20 tested students in each income group and a reported low-income student population. Each school counts once. Its gap is non-low-income proficiency minus low-income proficiency, including negative gaps. California state test data
Understanding this school
How does Paul L. Cato Middle compare within the district?
Paul L. Cato Middle is No. 1 in both reading and math proficiency among the 9 6–8 schools in Bakersfield City with 2026 results.
Explore the district’s schoolsHow does Paul L. Cato Middle rank in California?
Paul L. Cato Middle ranks No. 404 of 1,204 in reading and No. 487 of 1,204 in math for 2026. These proficiency rankings compare California schools in the same grade-level category.
How do low-income students at Paul L. Cato Middle compare within the district?
Low-income students here rank No. 1 in both subjects among 9 6–8 district schools with reportable 2026 results for this group. 49.9% meet the reading standard and 27.3% meet the math standard.
See results by student groupHow does Paul L. Cato Middle compare with other schools in Bakersfield?
Paul L. Cato Middle is No. 3 in both reading and math proficiency among the 16 6–8 schools in Bakersfield with 2026 results.
Explore schools in BakersfieldHow does Paul L. Cato Middle compare with other schools in Kern County?
Paul L. Cato Middle is No. 5 in reading and No. 4 in math proficiency among the 30 6–8 schools in Kern County with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Kern CountyWhich schools should I compare?
Schools serving 6–8 in the same district.
| School | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Paul L. Cato MiddleThis school | 35.6% | 54.7% |
| Abraham Lincoln Jr. High | 2.9% | 20.8% |
| Chipman Junior High | 24.3% | 43.9% |
