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
Enrollment
613
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 54.74% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 69% (2019) to 68.71% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (714) 986-7480
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,705
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,626
- District Rank
- #15 of 34
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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