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Very Good

#3333 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 35% in state

Bernardo Heights Middle

Middle School · Poway Unified

12990 Paseo Lucido, San Diego, CA 92128

Enrollment

1,501

Student-Teacher

23.8:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,333 of 9,539

In San Diego

#143 of 288

public schools

In district

#30 of 38

Poway Unified

Equity

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Bernardo Heights Middle

7.1/10

Middle School in San Diego · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Rancho Bernardo High

7.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Dot to Dot

Nearby

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bernardo Heights Middle

Bernardo Heights Middle is a public middle school in San Diego, CA, part of Poway Unified. Bernardo Heights Middle serves approximately 1,501 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 23.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Bernardo Heights Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #3,333 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Bernardo Heights Middle show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.5
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Bernardo Heights Middle runs 23.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.96 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+18.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.7 pts
Overall Proficiency62% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,231
Chronic Absenteeism15.8%

Bernardo Heights Middle — Students at Bernardo Heights Middle score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 60.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 74.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
69%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
68%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
71%
2015
Math
60%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
70%
2017
Math
60%
ELA
70%
2018
Math
60%
ELA
74%
2019
Math
60%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
52.6%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
53.1%
ELA
71.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Bernardo Heights Middle Compares

See how Bernardo Heights Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
65th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
5.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.8%

Location

12990 Paseo Lucido, San Diego, CA 92128

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bernardo Heights Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Meadowbrook Middle (rated 7.5/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Poway), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Twin Peaks Middle (rated 6.8/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Poway), with a very similar rating. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Rancho Bernardo High San Diego 0.2 mi 7.2
DOT TO DOT San Diego 0.5 mi
ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL Poway 0.5 mi 6.3
Country Montessori School of Poway Poway 0.6 mi
Highland Ranch Elementary San Diego 1.0 mi 7.0
Turtleback Elementary San Diego 1.3 mi 5.8
Abraxas Continuation High Poway 1.6 mi 4.0
Rolling Hills Elementary San Diego 1.6 mi 8.9
Chaparral Elementary Poway 2.0 mi 7.5
Painted Rock Elementary Poway 2.0 mi 7.9
Meadowbrook Middle Poway 2.3 mi 7.5
Shoal Creek Elementary San Diego 2.3 mi 7.7
Poway to Palomar Middle College High San Diego 2.2 mi
LifeBridge Academy San Diego 2.6 mi
Westwood Elementary San Diego 2.6 mi 8.5
Pomerado Elementary Poway 2.7 mi 7.0
Poway High Poway 2.3 mi 6.6
Tierra Bonita Elementary Poway 2.4 mi 8.4
Twin Peaks Middle Poway 2.5 mi 6.8
Praxis Elite Sports Academy San Diego 2.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92128 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$128,150

Median Home Value

$875,400

Median Rent

$2,760/mo

Population

48,492

College Educated

64.3%

Homeownership

65.5%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

44.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Adams (J. Douglas) Middle Brentwood, CA 7.1
Cope Middle Redlands, CA 7.1
El Rancho Charter Anaheim, CA 7.1
James B. Davidson Middle San Rafael, CA 7.1
Kings Canyon Middle Fresno, CA 7.1
Richard Henry Dana Middle San Pedro, CA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bernardo Heights Middle

What grades does Bernardo Heights Middle serve?

Bernardo Heights Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Bernardo Heights Middle?

Bernardo Heights Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,501 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bernardo Heights Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Bernardo Heights Middle is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bernardo Heights Middle rank in CA?

Bernardo Heights Middle ranks #3,333 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Bernardo Heights Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Bernardo Heights Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bernardo Heights Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bernardo Heights Middle has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Bernardo Heights Middle a charter school?

No, Bernardo Heights Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bernardo Heights Middle a Title I school?

No, Bernardo Heights Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bernardo Heights Middle?

14.6% of students at Bernardo Heights Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,501
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
63
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.8%

District

Poway Unified
District Enrollment
34,935
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,231
District Rank
#30 of 38

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