Average
#4925 of 9,533 schools in CA
Bernardo Heights Middle
Middle School · Poway Unified
12990 Paseo Lucido, San Diego, CA 92128
Enrollment
1,501
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,501
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#174 of 288
public schools
California middle schools
#718 of 1,349
In district
#28 of 38
Poway Unified
Equity
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Bernardo Heights Middle
Bernardo Heights Middle serves 1,501 students in grades 6 through 8 in San Diego, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 23.8:1 and 63 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks in the 79th percentile statewide, placing #1971 out of 9566 California schools. Academically, Bernardo Heights Middle demonstrates solid performance with an academic score of 8.6 out of 10.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 72% achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. In mathematics, 53% of students perform at proficient or above levels, indicating steady progress in this subject area. The school serves the affluent 92128 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $125,609 and median home values of $788,200.
The community is highly educated, with 63% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 4.7% among the area's 49,273 residents. Located on Paseo Lucido, Bernardo Heights Middle operates as a regular public school within San Diego's large urban setting, serving a well-established and educationally-focused community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Bernardo Heights Middle is 23.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bernardo Heights Middle — Students at Bernardo Heights Middle score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.3/10.
How Bernardo Heights Middle Compares
See how Bernardo Heights Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 53.21% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 71.64% (2024).
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. Twin Peaks Middle (rated 6.2/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Poway), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Meadowbrook Middle (rated 5.6/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Poway), with a comparable 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 | 6.6 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| Turtleback Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Abraxas Continuation High Poway | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Rolling Hills Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Chaparral Elementary Poway | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Painted Rock Elementary Poway | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Meadowbrook Middle Poway | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Shoal Creek Elementary San Diego | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| Pomerado Elementary Poway | 2.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Poway High Poway | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Tierra Bonita Elementary Poway | 2.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Twin Peaks Middle Poway | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bernardo Heights Middle has a median household income of $128,150. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $875,400, with a median rent of $2,760/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Charles Blackstock Junior High Oxnard, CA | 6.3 |
| Dorothy McElhinney Middle Murrieta, CA | 6.3 |
| Folsom Middle Folsom, CA | 6.3 |
| Glacier Point Middle Fresno, CA | 6.3 |
| Raymond A. Villa Fundamental Intermediate Santa Ana, CA | 6.3 |
| Suzanne Middle Walnut, CA | 6.3 |
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 is ranked #4925 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Bernardo Heights Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Bernardo Heights Middle has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bernardo Heights Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bernardo Heights Middle has 54.5% math proficiency and 72.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 39 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 22 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 42 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,092/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (858) 485-4850
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Poway Unified- District Enrollment
- 34,935
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,231
- District Rank
- #28 of 38
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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