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Very Good

#3384 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 36% 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

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,384 of 9,539

In Murrieta

#6 of 24

public schools

In district

#6 of 19

Murrieta Valley Unified

Equity

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle

7.0/10

Middle School in Murrieta · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lisa J. Mails Elementary

5.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Harvest Hill S.t.e.a.m. Academy

7.6/10

1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle

Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle is a public middle school in Murrieta, CA, part of Murrieta Valley Unified. Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle serves approximately 1,442 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 26.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #3,384 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.7
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle runs 26.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.96 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+12.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,074
Chronic Absenteeism16.4%

Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle — Students at Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle score 59% 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

46.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 70.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
60%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
66%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
68%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
55%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
56%
ELA
69%
2019
Math
56%
ELA
69%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
66.2%
2024
Math
46.5%
ELA
70.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in CA
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.4%

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 Harvest Hill S.T.E.A.M. Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Winchester), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Vista Murrieta High (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 5.9
Harvest Hill S.T.E.A.M. Academy Winchester 1.6 mi 7.6
Susan La Vorgna Elementary Winchester 1.8 mi 4.6
Oak Meadows Elementary Murrieta 2.0 mi 4.5
Vista Murrieta High Murrieta 2.1 mi 7.3
Monte Vista Elementary Murrieta 2.4 mi 6.3
Revival High School Menifee 2.5 mi
Liberty High Winchester 3.0 mi 4.0
French Valley Elementary Winchester 2.7 mi 5.0
Temecula Valley Charter Winchester 2.8 mi 4.7
Temecula Preparatory Winchester 2.8 mi 7.1
Antelope Hills Elementary Murrieta 2.9 mi 5.9
THE UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA HIGH SCHOOL Murrieta 3.5 mi 8.5
Rail Ranch Elementary Murrieta 3.2 mi 5.2
Alamos Elementary Murrieta 3.6 mi 6.9
MethodSchools Murrieta 3.8 mi 5.6
Bella Vista Middle Murrieta 3.8 mi 6.2
Alta Murrieta Elementary Murrieta 3.7 mi 6.2
Southshore Elementary Menifee 4.2 mi 5.2
Avaxat Elementary Murrieta 3.7 mi 4.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Beattie Middle Highland, CA 7.0
Etiwanda Intermediate Etiwanda, CA 7.0
Gonzalo Felicitas Mendez Fundamental Intermediate Santa Ana, CA 7.0
Harriet G. Eddy Middle Elk Grove, CA 7.0
Herbert Hoover Middle San Jose, CA 7.0
Hughes Middle Long Beach, CA 7.0

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 ranks #3,384 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.4%

District

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

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