AllElementaryMiddleHigh School
ExploreMapCompareBlogSign in

California Middle Schools

Grades 6 and 8 CAASPP scores, growth trajectory, absenteeism, and suspension rates.

1,714
Schools ranked
6-8
Grade range
6
Dimensions
17.3%
Avg exceeded rate

Top middle schools near Columbus

Based on your approximate location. Search above for more precise results.

RankSchoolCityScorePercentile
1Julius Cordes ElementaryMountain House97Strong
97/100
2Sam H. Lawson MiddleCupertino94Strong
94/100
3The Pleasanton Virtual AcademyPleasanton94Strong
94/100
4Science Academy STEM MagnetNorth Hollywood93Strong
93/100
5Joaquin Miller MiddleSan Jose93Strong
93/100
6Redwood MiddleSaratoga92Strong
92/100
7John F. Kennedy MiddleCupertino91Strong
91/100
8Robert C. Fisler ElementaryFullerton91Strong
91/100
9Lilienthal (Claire) ElementarySan Francisco91Strong
91/100
10Corte MaderaPortola Valley91Strong
91/100

Browse 1,714 middle schools on map →

Top California middle schools

Ranked by Scope Score across 6 dimensions.

RankSchoolCountyScorePercentile
1Julius Cordes ElementarySan Joaquin97Strong
97/100
2Sam H. Lawson MiddleSanta Clara94Strong
94/100
3The Pleasanton Virtual AcademyAlameda94Strong
94/100
4Science Academy STEM MagnetLos Angeles93Strong
93/100
5Joaquin Miller MiddleSanta Clara93Strong
93/100
6Redwood MiddleSanta Clara92Strong
92/100
7John F. Kennedy MiddleSanta Clara91Strong
91/100
8Robert C. Fisler ElementaryOrange91Strong
91/100
9Lilienthal (Claire) ElementarySan Francisco91Strong
91/100
10Corte MaderaSan Mateo91Strong
91/100

The middle school drop

Many parents notice something alarming in middle school: scores decline. Across California, the average grade 6→8 growth trajectory is +0.8 points. This isn't unusual — adolescence brings developmental changes that affect academic performance.

But not every school sees a decline. The schools below actually improve scores from 6th to 8th grade. That's the signal. A middle school that maintains or grows achievement through these years is doing harder, more valuable work than one that lets kids coast.

How middle school Scope Scores differ

Middle school Scope Scores use grades 6 and 8 CAASPP data (instead of grades 3 and 5 for elementary). The growth trajectory measures how scores change from 6th to 8th grade — the most telling metric for this level. We weight the same five dimensions: exceeded rate (45%), proficiency floor (25%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), and suspension rate (5%).

Schools on the rise

Middle schools where the California School Dashboard shows Increased or Increased Significantly in ELA or Math vs. the prior year. This answers the question every parent asks: is this school getting better?

SchoolDistrictScoreELA TrendMath Trend
Julius Cordes ElementaryLammersville Joint Unified97IncreasedIncreased Significantly
Sam H. Lawson MiddleCupertino Union94IncreasedIncreased
The Pleasanton Virtual AcademyPleasanton Unified94Increased SignificantlyIncreased Significantly
Science Academy STEM MagnetLos Angeles Unified93IncreasedIncreased
Redwood MiddleSaratoga Union Elementary92IncreasedIncreased
Robert C. Fisler ElementaryFullerton Elementary91IncreasedIncreased
Lilienthal (Claire) ElementarySan Francisco Unified91IncreasedMaintained
College Preparatory MiddleSBE - College Preparatory Middle90IncreasedIncreased

Data: California School Dashboard 2025 year-over-year change indicators

Growth heroes

Middle schools where scores actually improve from 6th to 8th grade.

SchoolDistrictScoreGrowth
Cajon Valley HomeCajon Valley Union34+40.3
Outside Creek ElementaryOutside Creek Elementary55+37.3
Mountain ViewSan Diego Unified39+35.0
Westside Global Awareness MagnetLos Angeles Unified37+33.4
Larry G. Meeks AcademyNatomas Unified43+33.0

Top districts for middle school

Districts with the highest average middle school Scope Scores (minimum 3 schools).

Cupertino Union6 schools · avg 98th percentilePalo Alto Unified3 schools · avg 97th percentilePleasanton Unified4 schools · avg 95th percentileWalnut Valley Unified3 schools · avg 96th percentileSan Ramon Valley Unified8 schools · avg 95th percentile

Search middle schools near you

Find and compare middle schools by name, city, or zip code.

Data source: California Department of Education, CAASPP 2024-25