Excellent
#330 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 4% in state
Bernice Ayer Middle
Middle School · Capistrano Unified
1271 Sarmentoso, San Clemente, CA 92673
Enrollment
878
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
878
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Clemente
#2 of 11
public schools
California middle schools
#33 of 1,349
In district
#5 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Bernice Ayer Middle
Bernice Ayer Middle is a public middle school in San Clemente, CA, part of the Capistrano Unified. The school serves approximately 878 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96.5th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 64% proficiency in math, 30 points above the state average and 70% in reading/language arts, 24 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $180,077, where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bernice Ayer Middle — Students at Bernice Ayer Middle score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.1%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
How Bernice Ayer Middle Compares
See how Bernice Ayer Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 66.55% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 71% (2019) to 70.29% (2024).
Location
1271 Sarmentoso, San Clemente, CA 92673
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bernice Ayer Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Vista del Mar Middle (rated 8.1/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Shorecliffs Middle (rated 5.5/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Clemente, see our San Clemente schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Truman Benedict Elementary San Clemente | 0.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Marblehead Elementary San Clemente | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Shorecliffs Middle San Clemente | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Vista del Mar Middle San Clemente | 1.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Vista del Mar Elementary San Clemente | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| San Clemente High San Clemente | 1.9 mi | 8.3 |
| THE Togethership San Clemente | 1.9 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF SAN CLEMENTE LLC San Clemente | 1.9 mi | — |
| San Juan Hills High San Juan Capistrano | 2.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Clarence Lobo Elementary San Clemente | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Las Palmas Elementary San Clemente | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| St. Michael's Christian Academy San Clemente | 2.6 mi | — |
| ST MICHAELS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Clemente | 2.6 mi | — |
| OUR LADY OF FATIMA SCHOOL San Clemente | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Harold Ambuehl Elementary San Juan Capistrano | 2.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Palisades Elementary Capistrano Beach | 2.4 mi | 9.1 |
| ST MARGARET S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano | 3.0 mi | 3.8 |
| St. Margaret's Episcopal School San Juan Capistrano | 3.0 mi | — |
| THE JOHNSON ACADEMY San Juan Capistrano | 2.9 mi | 5.2 |
| FOUNDATIONS COGNITIVE SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92673 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$180,077
Median Home Value
$1,207,600
Median Rent
$3,412/mo
Population
29,828
College Educated
55.7%
Homeownership
79.7%
Avg Commute
28.8 min
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bernice Ayer Middle has a median household income of $180,077. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,207,600, with a median rent of $3,412/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| El Sereno Middle Los Angeles, CA | 8.8 |
| Ellen Fletcher Middle Palo Alto, CA | 8.8 |
| Stephens Middle Long Beach, CA | 8.8 |
| BP STEM Academy Baldwin Park, CA | 8.9 |
| Edna Brewer Middle Oakland, CA | 8.9 |
| Garvey (Richard) Intermediate Rosemead, CA | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bernice Ayer Middle
What grades does Bernice Ayer Middle serve?
Bernice Ayer Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Bernice Ayer Middle?
Bernice Ayer Middle has an enrollment of approximately 878 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bernice Ayer Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Bernice Ayer Middle is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bernice Ayer Middle rank in CA?
Bernice Ayer Middle is ranked #330 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Bernice Ayer Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Bernice Ayer Middle has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Bernice Ayer Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bernice Ayer Middle has 63.7% math proficiency and 70.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bernice Ayer Middle a charter school?
No, Bernice Ayer Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bernice Ayer Middle a Title I school?
No, Bernice Ayer Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bernice Ayer Middle?
37.1% of students at Bernice Ayer 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Clemente). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 878
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 366-9607
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #5 of 57
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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