- Thomas Jefferson Middle — Grades 7–8 · 948 students
- Martin Luther King Jr. Middle — Grades 7–8 · 865 students
- Jack G. Desmond Middle — Grades 7–8 · 838 students
- Matilda Torres High — Grades 9–12 · 2,017 students
- Madera High — Grades 9–12 · 1,869 students
- Madera South High — Grades 9–12 · 1,859 students
- Mountain Vista High — Grades 10–12 · 162 students
- Madera Unified Adult Transition Program — Grades 12–12 · 15 students
- Lincoln Elementary — Grades K–6 · 816 students
- John J. Pershing Elementary — Grades K–6 · 788 students
- Sierra Vista Elementary — Grades K–6 · 740 students
- James Madison Elementary — Grades K–8 · 739 students
- John Adams Elementary — Grades K–6 · 736 students
- Alpha Elementary — Grades K–6 · 735 students
- Virginia Lee Rose Elementary — Grades K–6 · 714 students
- Berenda Elementary — Grades K–6 · 709 students
- Nishimoto Elementary — Grades K–6 · 704 students
- Cesar Chavez Elementary — Grades K–6 · 659 students
- Parkwood Elementary — Grades K–6 · 635 students
- James Monroe Elementary — Grades K–6 · 624 students
- Millview Elementary — Grades K–6 · 594 students
- George Washington Elementary — Grades K–6 · 578 students
- Howard Elementary — Grades K–8 · 487 students
- Duane E. Furman Independent Study — Grades K–12 · 348 students
- Dixieland Elementary — Grades K–8 · 266 students
- Eastin Arcola Elementary — Grades K–8 · 225 students
- La Vina Elementary — Grades K–8 · 203 students
- Ripperdan Community Day — Grades 7–12 · 49 students
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| Metric | Madera Unified School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 20,151 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 28 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,158/yr | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madera Unified School District (this district) | 3/10 | 25th | 20,151 |
| Golden Valley Unified School District | 8/10 | 74th | 2,566 |
| Mendota Unified School District | 4/10 | 30th | 3,920 |
| Los Banos Unified School District | 3/10 | 26th | 11,020 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 963 rated districts in CA → 25th percentile → 3/10.
Source: California Dept. of Education CAASPP Smarter Balanced, 2023–24 school year. Full methodology →
About Madera Unified School District
Families in zip code 93638 (Madera, California) are assigned to Madera Unified School District for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Madera Unified School District spent $14,158 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 10% below California’s statewide $15,700 estimate.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 1 schools serving grades Kindergarten – 12th, Madera Unified School District qualifies as a small, community-focused district serving students from Kindergarten – 12th. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
With a rating of 3/10 (below average), Madera Unified School District ranks among California’s below-average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in California’s CAASPP Smarter Balanced assessments (2023–24 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because California is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Madera Unified School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in California on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 93638
Children in zip code 93638 are assigned to Madera Unified School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Kindergarten – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 93638, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Madera Unified School District at (559)675-4500 or visit www.madera.k12.ca.us. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — California districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Madera
For families considering a purchase in the Madera area, district assignment matters financially. Because Madera Unified School District serves zip code 93638, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 93638. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In California, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Madera Unified School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 93638.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Madera Unified School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 93638 data.