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Very Good

#3005 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 32% in state

Carl Smith Middle

Middle School · Terra Bella Union Elementary

23825 Avenue 92, Terra Bella, CA 93270

Enrollment

273

Student-Teacher

22.8:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,005 of 9,539

In Terra Bella

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Terra Bella Union Elementary

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Carl Smith Middle

7.3/10

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

Terra Bella Elementary

7.8/10

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

Zion Lutheran School

6.4/10

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

About Carl Smith Middle

Carl Smith Middle is a public middle school in Terra Bella, CA, part of Terra Bella Union Elementary. Carl Smith Middle serves approximately 273 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 22.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Carl Smith Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #3,005 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Carl Smith Middle show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts above CA schools
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Carl Smith Middle runs 22.8:1 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.

Carl Smith Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-12.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,638
Chronic Absenteeism19%

Carl Smith Middle — Students at Carl Smith Middle score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 33.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 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
54%
ELA
35%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
38%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
43%
2012
Math
38%
ELA
36%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
24%
2015
Math
7%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
31%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
20.2%
ELA
40.2%
2024
Math
22.1%
ELA
39.6%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.

How Carl Smith Middle Compares

See how Carl Smith Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.0%

Location

23825 Avenue 92, Terra Bella, CA 93270

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carl Smith Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pioneer Middle (rated 7.1/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Porterville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bartlett Middle (rated 6.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Porterville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Terra Bella, see our Terra Bella schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Terra Bella Elementary Terra Bella 0.2 mi 7.8
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Terra Bella 2.7 mi 6.4
Ducor Union Elementary Ducor 4.5 mi 3.9
Hope Elementary Porterville 4.5 mi 9.0
Pioneer Middle Porterville 6.5 mi 7.1
Vandalia Elementary Porterville 6.5 mi 5.6
Santa Fe Elementary Porterville 7.4 mi 7.8
Summit Charter Academy Porterville 7.5 mi 7.2
Olive Street Elementary Porterville 7.5 mi 7.5
Porterville High Porterville 7.6 mi 6.8
West Putnam Elementary Porterville 7.8 mi 4.0
John J. Doyle Elementary Porterville 7.6 mi 7.0
Bartlett Middle Porterville 8.0 mi 6.3
ST ANNE SCHOOL Porterville 8.1 mi 6.5
Jim Maples Academy Porterville 8.0 mi 5.2
Burton Community Day Porterville 8.1 mi
Belleview Elementary Porterville 8.2 mi 4.4
Roche Elementary Porterville 8.2 mi 6.6
Burton Elementary Porterville 8.2 mi 5.0
Sequoia Christian Academey Porterville Porterville 8.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93270 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,795

Median Home Value

$291,800

Median Rent

$1,082/mo

Population

5,703

College Educated

5.8%

Homeownership

67.2%

Avg Commute

26.1 min

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

37.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Adele Harrison Middle Sonoma, CA 7.3
Anthony W. Ochoa Middle Hayward, CA 7.3
Fine Arts Academy Atascadero, CA 7.3
Environmental Charter Middle - Gardena Gardena, CA 7.2
Mountain View Middle Redding, CA 7.2
New Los Angeles Charter Los Angeles, CA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carl Smith Middle

What grades does Carl Smith Middle serve?

Carl Smith Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Carl Smith Middle?

Carl Smith Middle has an enrollment of approximately 273 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carl Smith Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Carl Smith Middle is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carl Smith Middle rank in CA?

Carl Smith Middle ranks #3,005 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Carl Smith Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Carl Smith Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Carl Smith Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Carl Smith Middle has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Carl Smith Middle a charter school?

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

Is Carl Smith Middle a Title I school?

No, Carl Smith Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carl Smith Middle?

94.9% of students at Carl Smith 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
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Tulare County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.0%

District

Terra Bella Union Elementary
District Enrollment
754
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,638
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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