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Average

#4762 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 50% in state

Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle

Middle School · Murrieta Valley Unified

35125 Briggs Rd., Murrieta, CA 92563

Enrollment

1,442

Student-Teacher

26.7:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Murrieta

#10 of 24

public schools

California middle schools

#691 of 1,349

In district

#10 of 19

Murrieta Valley Unified

Equity

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle

Dorothy McElhinney Middle serves 1,442 students in grades 6-8 in Murrieta, California, operating as a regular public school in Riverside County. With 54 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26.7 to 1. Academically, Dorothy McElhinney Middle demonstrates solid performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 75th percentile statewide at #2423 out of 9566 California schools.

The school particularly excels in English Language Arts, with 71% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows 47% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating an area with room for continued growth and focus. The school serves a well-established community where the median household income reaches $112,347 and the median home value is $584,300.

Approximately 31% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains low at 5.3%. This ZIP code area is home to 78,139 residents, creating a substantial community presence. Dorothy McElhinney Middle is situated in Murrieta's large suburban setting, providing students with the benefits of a spacious, family-oriented environment while maintaining access to the educational and cultural opportunities that come with a well-developed suburban community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle is 26.7:1, 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 Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.9%
Math vs. State Avg+12.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+10.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,530

Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle — Students at Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.4%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 70.4%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 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
56%
ELA
69%
2024
Math
46.5%
ELA
70.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.

How Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in CA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Location

35125 Briggs Rd., Murrieta, CA 92563

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. THE UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vista Murrieta High (rated 7.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Monte Vista Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Murrieta, see our Murrieta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Lisa J. Mails Elementary Murrieta 0.2 mi 4.7
Harvest Hill S.T.E.A.M. Academy Winchester 1.6 mi 5.6
Susan La Vorgna Elementary Winchester 1.8 mi 5.6
Oak Meadows Elementary Murrieta 2.0 mi 5.1
Vista Murrieta High Murrieta 2.1 mi 7.0
Monte Vista Elementary Murrieta 2.4 mi 6.7
Revival High School Menifee 2.5 mi
Liberty High Winchester 3.0 mi 3.8
French Valley Elementary Winchester 2.7 mi 5.4
Temecula Valley Charter Winchester 2.8 mi 3.9
Temecula Preparatory Winchester 2.8 mi 5.3
Antelope Hills Elementary Murrieta 2.9 mi 5.1
THE UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA HIGH SCHOOL Murrieta 3.5 mi 8.5
Rail Ranch Elementary Murrieta 3.2 mi 3.4
Alamos Elementary Murrieta 3.6 mi 6.1
MethodSchools Murrieta 3.8 mi 5.4
Bella Vista Middle Murrieta 3.8 mi 5.5
Alta Murrieta Elementary Murrieta 3.7 mi 4.6
Southshore Elementary Menifee 4.2 mi 5.2
Avaxat Elementary Murrieta 3.7 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92563 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,519

Median Home Value

$615,700

Median Rent

$2,588/mo

Population

77,860

College Educated

32.6%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

38.2 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

35.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle has a median household income of $118,519. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $615,700, with a median rent of $2,588/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 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
Bernardo Heights Middle San Diego, CA 6.3
Charles Blackstock Junior High Oxnard, CA 6.3
Folsom Middle Folsom, CA 6.3
Glacier Point Middle Fresno, CA 6.3
Raymond A. Villa Fundamental Intermediate Santa Ana, CA 6.3
Suzanne Middle Walnut, CA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle

What grades does Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle serve?

Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle?

Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,442 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle is 26.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle rank in CA?

Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle is ranked #4762 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle has 48.4% math proficiency and 70.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle a charter school?

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

Is Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle a Title I school?

No, Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

46.5% of students at Dorothy Mcelhinney 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,141/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,442
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Riverside County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Murrieta Valley Unified
District Enrollment
22,317
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,074
District Rank
#10 of 19

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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