Average
#5637 of 9,533 schools in CA
Branciforte Middle
Middle School · Santa Cruz City High
315 Poplar St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Cruz
#17 of 25
public schools
California middle schools
#820 of 1,349
In district
#5 of 9
Santa Cruz City High
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Branciforte Middle
Branciforte Middle, located in the heart of Santa Cruz, California, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 435 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.8:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student. The teaching staff consists of 22 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to fostering academic growth and social development.
Academically, Branciforte Middle is in the 52nd percentile among California schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.6 out of 10. In reading and language arts, 48% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards, while 38% are proficient or above in math. These scores indicate areas for improvement but also highlight the school's commitment to student development.
Set within a small city environment, Branciforte Middle is part of a close-knit community where students benefit from local resources and support networks. The school's setting offers unique opportunities for engagement with the surrounding neighborhood, contributing to a well-rounded educational experience.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Branciforte Middle — Students at Branciforte Middle score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.
How Branciforte Middle Compares
See how Branciforte Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 37.33% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 45.37% (2024).
Location
315 Poplar St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Branciforte Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 8.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Santa Cruz High (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gault Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | — |
| SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Gault Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| VHM Christian School Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | — |
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Holy Cross Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | — |
| HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | — |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,261
Median Home Value
$1,064,600
Median Rent
$2,291/mo
Population
36,047
College Educated
50.7%
Homeownership
53.6%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
42.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Branciforte Middle has a median household income of $108,261. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,064,600, with a median rent of $2,291/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Adele Harrison Middle Sonoma, CA | 6.0 |
| Castaic Middle Castaic, CA | 6.0 |
| Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry Elementary San Bernardino, CA | 6.0 |
| Edison Middle Bakersfield, CA | 6.0 |
| George T. Egling Middle Colusa, CA | 6.0 |
| Hilliard Comstock Middle Santa Rosa, CA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Branciforte Middle
What grades does Branciforte Middle serve?
Branciforte Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Branciforte Middle?
Branciforte Middle has an enrollment of approximately 435 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Branciforte Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Branciforte Middle is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Branciforte Middle rank in CA?
Branciforte Middle is ranked #5637 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Branciforte Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Branciforte Middle has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Branciforte Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Branciforte Middle has 38.2% math proficiency and 48.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Branciforte Middle a charter school?
No, Branciforte Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Branciforte Middle a Title I school?
No, Branciforte Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Branciforte Middle?
42.8% of students at Branciforte 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
- City Safety
- High (3,203/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Cruz). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 435
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 429-3883
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Cruz City High- District Enrollment
- 4,504
- Schools in District
- 9
- District Rank
- #5 of 9
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.
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