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Below Average

#8543 of 9,533 schools in CA

Downtown College Preparatory Middle

Middle School · Downtown College Preparatory Middle District

1402 Monterey Hwy., San Jose, CA 95110

Charter

Enrollment

239

Student-Teacher

23.9:1

Score

4.3

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Jose

#187 of 223

public schools

California middle schools

#1,250 of 1,349

About Downtown College Preparatory Middle

Downtown College Preparatory Middle is a charter school located in the heart of San Jose, California. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, this middle school has an enrollment of 239 students and offers a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 24:1. With ten full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student.

The academic performance at Downtown College Preparatory Middle is currently focusing on areas for improvement, as indicated by their MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #9141 out of 9566 schools in California, placing them in the 4th percentile. In reading and ELA, 25% of students are proficient or above, while only 11% are meeting proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, Downtown College Preparatory Middle is situated in a vibrant urban setting within San Jose, offering its students access to a diverse community and various cultural and educational resources.

The school's location provides unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, immersing students in the rich tapestry of life in a large city.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Downtown College Preparatory Middle is 23.9:1, 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.

Downtown College Preparatory Middle is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24%
Math vs. State Avg-25.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.4 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment3.8Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,430

Downtown College Preparatory Middle — Students at Downtown College Preparatory Middle score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 11.2%
School
State
34.1%
ELA Proficiency 25.1%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
16%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
24%
2024
Math
8.7%
ELA
24.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.

How Downtown College Preparatory Middle Compares

See how Downtown College Preparatory Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in CA
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

1402 Monterey Hwy., San Jose, CA 95110

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Downtown College Preparatory Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Downtown College Preparatory (rated 8.4/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Yerba Buena High (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Downtown College Preparatory San Jose 0.0 mi 8.4
Rocketship Alma Academy Redwood City 0.3 mi 3.2
Washington Elementary San Jose 0.6 mi 3.3
SACRED HEART NATIVTY SCHOOLS San Jose 0.7 mi 5.9
Sacred Heart Nativity School San Jose 0.7 mi
Lowell Elementary San Jose 1.0 mi 3.5
Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary Redwood City 0.8 mi 3.7
Notre Dame High School San Jose San Jose 1.0 mi
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL San Jose 1.0 mi 6.2
Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary San Jose 1.2 mi 7.8
Ernesto Galarza Elementary San Jose 1.2 mi 4.4
Rocketship Mosaic Elementary Redwood City 1.3 mi 5.1
Selma Olinder Elementary San Jose 1.5 mi 5.7
Gardner Elementary San Jose 1.3 mi 6.6
Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory San Jose 1.3 mi 4.5
Yerba Buena High San Jose 1.3 mi 7.4
Robert F. Kennedy Elementary San Jose 1.4 mi 4.6
Shirakawa (George Sr.) Elementary San Jose 1.3 mi 5.9
McKinley Elementary San Jose 1.6 mi 5.1
Luis Valdez Leadership Academy San Jose 1.4 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95110 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,800

Median Home Value

$947,900

Median Rent

$2,629/mo

Population

19,444

College Educated

39.6%

Homeownership

40.2%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

34.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Downtown College Preparatory Middle has a median household income of $132,800. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $947,900, with a median rent of $2,629/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Keppel Academy Littlerock, CA 4.3
Lairon College Preparatory Academy San Jose, CA 4.3
Mare Island Technology Academy Vallejo, CA 4.3
Oak Grove Middle Jamul, CA 4.3
Orange Grove Middle Hacienda Heights, CA 4.3
Toddy Thomas Middle Fortuna, CA 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Downtown College Preparatory Middle

What grades does Downtown College Preparatory Middle serve?

Downtown College Preparatory Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Downtown College Preparatory Middle?

Downtown College Preparatory Middle has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Downtown College Preparatory Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Downtown College Preparatory Middle is 23.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Downtown College Preparatory Middle rank in CA?

Downtown College Preparatory Middle is ranked #8543 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Downtown College Preparatory Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Downtown College Preparatory Middle has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Downtown College Preparatory Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downtown College Preparatory Middle has 11.2% math proficiency and 25.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Downtown College Preparatory Middle a charter school?

Yes, Downtown College Preparatory Middle is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Downtown College Preparatory Middle a Title I school?

No, Downtown College Preparatory Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Downtown College Preparatory Middle?

82.0% of students at Downtown College Preparatory 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 (3,210/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Santa Clara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Downtown College Preparatory Middle District
District Enrollment
239
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,061
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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