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Very Good

#2927 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 31% in state

Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle

Middle School · Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

1301 East Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870

Enrollment

613

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

7.2

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Placentia

#13 of 30

public schools

California middle schools

#387 of 1,349

In district

#15 of 34

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle

Col. J. K.

Tuffree Middle School serves 613 students in grades 7-8 in Placentia, California, earning recognition as a strong academic performer in Orange County. The school ranks in the 84th percentile statewide, placing #1,532 out of 9,566 California schools with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. Academically, Tuffree Middle demonstrates solid achievement with 69% of students reaching proficient or above in English Language Arts and 55% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

With 26 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.6:1, allowing for reasonable class sizes in the middle school environment. The school benefits from its location in an established, educated community where 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $106,298. This stable suburban environment, reflected in the area's median home value of $835,300 and low poverty rate of 8.6%, provides a supportive backdrop for student learning and family engagement.

Col. J. K.

Tuffree Middle School operates in Placentia's large suburban setting along East Orangethorpe Avenue, serving families in a well-established Orange County community that values educational achievement.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle is 23.6:1, 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 Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.7%
Math vs. State Avg+20.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.4 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,001

Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle — Students at Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 55.6%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 68.8%
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
58%
ELA
69%
2024
Math
54.7%
ELA
68.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.5/10.

How Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle Compares

See how Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

1301 East Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kraemer Middle (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, FRIENDS CHRISTIAN (rated 5.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Yorba Linda), a more accessible option. For more schools in Placentia, see our Placentia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Parkview Placentia 0.1 mi 4.9
Brookhaven Elementary Placentia 0.4 mi 8.0
Sierra Vista Elementary Placentia 0.7 mi 6.1
Royal Homeschool Academy Placentia 0.6 mi
George Key Placentia 0.7 mi 6.3
El Dorado High Placentia 0.8 mi 7.2
Golden Elementary Placentia 0.8 mi 8.2
Charles Wagner Elementary Placentia 1.0 mi 6.3
Topaz Elementary Placentia 1.1 mi 6.9
Morse Elementary Placentia 1.1 mi 8.0
PLACENTIA TOWNE & COUNTRY EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Placentia 1.4 mi
Heights Christian Schools, Brea Brea 1.4 mi
Brea Country Hills Elementary Brea 1.4 mi 6.6
Olinda Elementary Brea 1.4 mi 7.9
FRIENDS CHRISTIAN Yorba Linda 1.3 mi 5.8
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Placentia 1.5 mi 7.3
Ruby Drive Elementary Placentia 1.5 mi 6.7
Valencia High Placentia 1.6 mi 8.4
Kraemer Middle Placentia 1.7 mi 6.7
DISCOVERY DEPOT Yorba Linda 1.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92870 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,575

Median Home Value

$871,000

Median Rent

$2,267/mo

Population

52,384

College Educated

43.7%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

38

Community Profile

The community surrounding Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle has a median household income of $110,575. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $871,000, with a median rent of $2,267/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Castillero Middle San Jose, CA 7.2
Charles Drew Middle Los Angeles, CA 7.2
Diablo View Middle Clayton, CA 7.2
Elizabeth Terronez Middle Fresno, CA 7.2
Haskell (Pliny Fisk) Middle Cerritos, CA 7.2
Hubert Howe Bancroft Middle Los Angeles, CA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle

What grades does Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle serve?

Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle?

Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle has an enrollment of approximately 613 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle is 23.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle rank in CA?

Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle is ranked #2927 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle has 55.6% math proficiency and 68.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle a charter school?

No, Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle a Title I school?

No, Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle?

47.6% of students at Col. J. K. Tuffree 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
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,839/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
613
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified
District Enrollment
22,705
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,626
District Rank
#15 of 34

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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