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Very Good

#1785 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 19% 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

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Terra Bella

#1 of 3

public schools

California middle schools

#212 of 1,349

In district

#1 of 2

Terra Bella Union Elementary

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Carl Smith Middle

Carl Smith Middle is a regular public middle school located in Terra Bella, California, within Tulare County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 273 students. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers, the student-teacher ratio at Carl Smith Middle stands at 22.8:1.

The academic performance of Carl Smith Middle is rated at 5.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 48th percentile among California schools. The school’s academic score is 4.6 out of 10, indicating areas for improvement. In terms of subject proficiency, 36% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA), while only 21% meet these standards in math.

Carl Smith Middle is situated in a rural setting with limited neighborhood data available. Despite the challenges reflected in its current academic performance metrics, the school continues to work diligently on student development and growth. The community around Terra Bella offers a close-knit environment for students attending Carl Smith Middle.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Carl Smith Middle is 22.8:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Carl Smith Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.9Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.2%
Math vs. State Avg-12.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,853

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 20.9%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 36.4%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
20%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
31%
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: 9.5/10.

How Carl Smith Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
81th percentile in CA
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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 7.5/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Porterville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bartlett Middle (rated 7.3/10, 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 7.7
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Terra Bella 2.7 mi 6.4
Ducor Union Elementary Ducor 4.5 mi 7.2
Hope Elementary Porterville 4.5 mi 8.7
Pioneer Middle Porterville 6.5 mi 7.5
Vandalia Elementary Porterville 6.5 mi 7.4
Santa Fe Elementary Porterville 7.4 mi 5.1
Summit Charter Academy Porterville 7.5 mi 5.4
Olive Street Elementary Porterville 7.5 mi 6.5
Porterville High Porterville 7.6 mi 5.0
West Putnam Elementary Porterville 7.8 mi 4.3
John J. Doyle Elementary Porterville 7.6 mi 4.0
Bartlett Middle Porterville 8.0 mi 7.3
ST ANNE SCHOOL Porterville 8.1 mi 6.5
Jim Maples Academy Porterville 8.0 mi 4.6
Burton Community Day Porterville 8.1 mi
Belleview Elementary Porterville 8.2 mi 6.7
Roche Elementary Porterville 8.2 mi 6.9
Burton Elementary Porterville 8.2 mi 6.4
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carl Smith Middle has a median household income of $76,795. It is a community where 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,800, with a median rent of $1,082/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Bunche Middle Compton, CA 7.7
Del Mar Middle Tiburon, CA 7.7
North Tahoe Middle Tahoe City, CA 7.7
PUC Excel Charter Academy Burbank, CA 7.7
Willowbrook Middle Compton, CA 7.7
Farmersville Junior High Farmersville, CA 7.9

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 is ranked #1785 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Carl Smith Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Carl Smith Middle has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Carl Smith Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carl Smith Middle has 20.9% math proficiency and 36.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
County Safety
Average (503/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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