Skip to main content

Average

#6683 of 9,533 schools in CA

Chemawa Middle

Middle School · Riverside Unified

8830 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA 92503

Enrollment

861

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

5.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Riverside

#51 of 78

public schools

California middle schools

#1,003 of 1,349

In district

#27 of 48

Riverside Unified

About Chemawa Middle

Chemawa Middle serves grades 7 and 8 in Riverside, California, with an enrollment of 861 students. As a regular public middle school, it operates with 39 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1. Academically, the school is working with some significant challenges.

MySchoolScout rates it 3.8 out of 10, and it ranks in the 23rd percentile statewide among California schools. In English language arts and reading, 36% of students are proficient or above, while mathematics proficiency is notably lower at 17%. These results indicate the school has meaningful room for academic growth and improvement in core subjects.

Chemawa Middle is situated in Riverside, a large California city in Riverside County, at 8830 Magnolia Avenue. As part of a major urban district, the school serves a substantial student population with diverse needs and backgrounds typical of city schools.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Chemawa Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Chemawa Middle is 22.1:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.8%
Math vs. State Avg-18 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.5 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment5.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,561

Chemawa Middle — Students at Chemawa Middle score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.6%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 36.1%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
19%
ELA
40%
2024
Math
15.8%
ELA
34.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.5/10.

How Chemawa Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in CA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

8830 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA 92503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chemawa Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sierra Middle (rated 6.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wells Middle (rated 4.3/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Riverside, see our Riverside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Sherman Indian High School Riverside 0.3 mi
ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Riverside 0.4 mi 5.7
Monroe Elementary Riverside 0.5 mi 7.2
Arlington High Riverside 0.9 mi 5.5
Sunshine Special Education Riverside 0.9 mi 7.0
Jackson Elementary Riverside 1.1 mi 5.0
Liberty Elementary Riverside 1.0 mi 5.1
Hawthorne Elementary Riverside 1.2 mi 4.4
Adams Elementary Riverside 1.2 mi 7.1
Jefferson Elementary Riverside 1.4 mi 4.7
Ramona High Riverside 1.5 mi 5.5
Harrison Elementary Riverside 1.6 mi 6.0
BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Riverside 1.7 mi 5.8
BRIGHT FUTURES ACADEMY RIVERSIDE Riverside 1.5 mi 6.4
Dynamic Hope Schools - Riverside Riverside 1.5 mi
Foothill Elementary Riverside 1.7 mi 4.4
Madison Elementary Riverside 1.8 mi 4.7
Sierra Middle Riverside 2.2 mi 6.4
Wells Middle Riverside 2.1 mi 4.3
Mountain View Elementary Riverside 2.5 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,523

Median Home Value

$556,300

Median Rent

$1,801/mo

Population

88,242

College Educated

20.7%

Homeownership

65.9%

Avg Commute

35.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

34.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chemawa Middle has a median household income of $91,523. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $556,300, with a median rent of $1,801/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Citrus Hills Intermediate Corona, CA 5.5
Curran Middle Bakersfield, CA 5.5
David A. Brown Middle Wildomar, CA 5.5
Diegueno Middle Encinitas, CA 5.5
Elsinore Middle Lake Elsinore, CA 5.5
Franklin Classical Middle Long Beach, CA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chemawa Middle

What grades does Chemawa Middle serve?

Chemawa Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Chemawa Middle?

Chemawa Middle has an enrollment of approximately 861 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chemawa Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Chemawa Middle is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chemawa Middle rank in CA?

Chemawa Middle is ranked #6683 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Chemawa Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Chemawa Middle has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Chemawa Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chemawa Middle has 16.6% math proficiency and 36.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chemawa Middle a charter school?

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

Is Chemawa Middle a Title I school?

No, Chemawa Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

54.4% of students at Chemawa 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

City Safety
High (3,451/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Riverside). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
861
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Riverside County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Riverside Unified
District Enrollment
38,855
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,005
District Rank
#27 of 48

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

Related reading

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.