Excellent
#1073 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 11% in state
Bernice Ayer Middle
Middle School · Capistrano Unified
1271 Sarmentoso, San Clemente, CA 92673
Enrollment
878
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
878
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,073 of 9,539
In San Clemente
#4 of 11
public schools
In district
#20 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Equity
9.4 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Bernice Ayer Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Bernice Ayer Middle
Middle School in San Clemente · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Truman Benedict Elementary
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Marblehead Elementary
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bernice Ayer Middle
Bernice Ayer Middle is a public middle school in San Clemente, CA, part of Capistrano Unified. Bernice Ayer Middle serves approximately 878 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. Bernice Ayer Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,073 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Bernice Ayer Middle show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 8.3
- CA avg 6.5
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: 53%).
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 30 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: 7.4/10.
How Bernice Ayer Middle Compares
See how Bernice Ayer Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Shorecliffs Middle (rated 7.3/10, 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 | 5.1 |
| Shorecliffs Middle San Clemente | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Vista del Mar Middle San Clemente | 1.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Vista del Mar Elementary San Clemente | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| 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 | 8.6 |
| Clarence Lobo Elementary San Clemente | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Las Palmas Elementary San Clemente | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 6.9 |
| Palisades Elementary Capistrano Beach | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carmel Valley Middle Encinitas, CA | 8.3 |
| Granada Middle Whittier, CA | 8.3 |
| Iron Horse Middle San Ramon, CA | 8.3 |
| Jane Addams Middle Lawndale, CA | 8.3 |
| Katherine Edwards Mid Sch STEAM & Dual Immersion Acad Whittier, CA | 8.3 |
| Marshall Academy of the Arts Long Beach, CA | 8.3 |
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 ranks #1,073 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Bernice Ayer Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Bernice Ayer Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Bernice Ayer Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bernice Ayer Middle has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.3%
- Phone
- (949) 366-9607
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #20 of 57
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.