Almond Tree Middle vs La Vina Middle
Almond Tree Middle and La Vina Middle are very closely rated, both scoring around 8.7 out of 10. In math proficiency, La Vina Middle leads at 48.0%.
Almond Tree Middle
Delano, CA
526 students
La Vina Middle
Delano, CA
522 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Almond Tree Middle | La Vina Middle |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.7 / 10 | 9.1 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.6 | 8.9 |
| Growth Score | 8.2 | 9.3 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 92.2% | 79.1% |
| Environment Score | 9.6 | 9.1 |
| State Rank | #578 of 9,539 | #204 of 9,539 |
| State Percentile | 94th | 98th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Almond Tree Middle | La Vina Middle |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 34.0% | 48.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 38.0% | 51.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Delano (93215) | Delano (93215) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $61,329 | $61,329 |
| Median Home Value | $271,700 | $271,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,085 | $1,085 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 8.1% | 8.1% |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.8% |
| Avg Commute | 20 min | 20 min |
The data story: Almond Tree Middle vs La Vina Middle
Almond Tree Middle and La Vina Middle sit just 2.0 miles apart in Delano, California, and both rank among California's top 2% of schools. Almond Tree Middle holds the edge at #103 of 9,533 statewide versus La Vina Middle at #154 of 9,533 — a meaningful state-rank gap despite overall ratings of 9.2/10 and 9.1/10 respectively, a difference of just 0.1 points. Both schools earn their place near the top of a very competitive statewide field.
The academic and growth scores between these two schools run unusually close. La Vina Middle leads on academic proficiency at 8.9/10 compared to Almond Tree Middle's 8.6/10 — a 0.3-point gap favoring La Vina. Growth scores are nearly identical: La Vina Middle at 9.8/10 versus Almond Tree Middle at 9.7/10. Both schools are driving strong student progress regardless of starting point, with growth scores that rank in the top tier statewide.
Demographically, the two schools diverge more sharply. Almond Tree Middle serves a higher-need population, with 92% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch compared to 79% at La Vina Middle — a 13-point gap. Enrollment is nearly identical at 526 versus 522 students. The student-teacher ratio tells a different story: Almond Tree Middle's 18.1:1 ratio provides meaningfully more per-student teacher access than La Vina Middle's 20.9:1, a difference of nearly three students per teacher. For families weighing classroom attention, that gap is concrete.
Both schools serve grades 06–08, so the grade span offers no differentiation for families choosing between them. The key structural difference is the student-teacher ratio: Almond Tree Middle's 18.1:1 gives it a staffing advantage even as it serves a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students. La Vina Middle's slightly stronger academic score of 8.9/10 versus Almond Tree Middle's 8.6/10 may reflect the different demographic composition rather than a ceiling difference in instructional quality. Either choice lands a Delano middle schooler in a genuinely high-performing school.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Almond Tree Middle
Almond Tree Middle suits families who prioritize smaller class sizes and more direct teacher access — its 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio is the lowest of the two schools. It is also the right fit for families whose children benefit from high-support environments, given its experience serving a 92% free and reduced lunch population at a top-100 California ranking.
La Vina Middle
La Vina Middle suits families drawn to the slightly stronger academic proficiency score of 8.9/10 and a student body with somewhat broader economic diversity at 79% free and reduced lunch. It ranks #154 statewide — still an exceptional outcome — and matches Almond Tree Middle on growth, making it a strong option for families prioritizing demonstrated academic achievement scores.