Excellent
#580 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 6% in state
Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Middle School · Planada Elementary
PO Box 236, Planada, CA 95365
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Planada
#1 of 2
public schools
California middle schools
#57 of 1,349
In district
#1 of 2
Planada Elementary
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Cesar E. Chavez Middle is a public middle school in Planada, CA, part of the Planada Elementary. The school serves approximately 285 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1.
It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 93.9th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 18% proficiency in math, 16 points below the state average and 43% in reading/language arts, 3 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10).
Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $40,718, where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cesar E. Chavez 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Cesar E. Chavez Middle — Students at Cesar E. Chavez Middle score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.7/10.
How Cesar E. Chavez Middle Compares
See how Cesar E. Chavez Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 16% (2019) to 20.85% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 48.19% (2024).
Location
PO Box 236, Planada, CA 95365
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cesar E. Chavez Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Herbert Hoover Middle (rated 4.9/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Merced), a more accessible option. Another option is Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle (rated 4.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Merced), a more accessible option. Additionally, Weaver Middle (rated 4.8/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Merced), a more accessible option. For more schools in Planada, see our Planada schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Planada Elementary Planada | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Plainsburg Union Elementary Merced | 3.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Le Grand High Le Grand | 5.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Granada High Le Grand | 5.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Le Grand Elementary Le Grand | 5.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Weaver Middle Merced | 5.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Pioneer Elementary Merced | 6.0 mi | 6.6 |
| St. Paul Lutheran School Merced | 6.7 mi | — |
| ST PAUL SCHOOL Merced | 6.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Golden Valley High Merced | 6.9 mi | 5.9 |
| STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY Merced | 7.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced | 7.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Merced | 7.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 7.4 mi | — |
| Charles Wright Elementary Merced | 7.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 7.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary Merced | 7.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Allan Peterson Elementary Merced | 8.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Merced | 8.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Merced City School District Community Day Merced | 8.4 mi | 2.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95365 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,718
Median Home Value
$237,200
Median Rent
$893/mo
Population
4,009
College Educated
3.9%
Homeownership
49.4%
Poverty Rate
32.7%
Median Age
34.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cesar E. Chavez Middle has a median household income of $40,718. It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,200, with a median rent of $893/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| R. Roger Rowe Middle Rancho Santa Fe, CA | 8.6 |
| Walnut Park Mid A Sch of Soc Just and Service Lrng Walnut Park, CA | 8.6 |
| Waterford Junior Waterford, CA | 8.6 |
| Innovation Middle San Diego, CA | 8.7 |
| Brown Jr. (Willie L) Middle San Francisco, CA | 8.4 |
| Malibu Middle Malibu, CA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cesar E. Chavez Middle
What grades does Cesar E. Chavez Middle serve?
Cesar E. Chavez Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Cesar E. Chavez Middle?
Cesar E. Chavez Middle has an enrollment of approximately 285 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cesar E. Chavez Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Cesar E. Chavez Middle is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cesar E. Chavez Middle rank in CA?
Cesar E. Chavez Middle is ranked #580 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Cesar E. Chavez Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Cesar E. Chavez Middle has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Cesar E. Chavez Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cesar E. Chavez Middle has 17.9% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cesar E. Chavez Middle a charter school?
No, Cesar E. Chavez Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cesar E. Chavez Middle a Title I school?
No, Cesar E. Chavez Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cesar E. Chavez Middle?
93.0% of students at Cesar E. Chavez 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. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 285
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 382-0768
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Planada Elementary- District Enrollment
- 870
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,210
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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