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Very Good

#1497 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 16% in state

Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate

Middle School · Garden Grove Unified

10851 East Lampson Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840

Enrollment

506

Student-Teacher

22:1

Score

7.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Garden Grove

#20 of 51

public schools

California middle schools

#171 of 1,349

In district

#24 of 64

Garden Grove Unified

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate

Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate serves 506 middle school students in grades 7-8 in Garden Grove, California.

This public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 76th percentile statewide at #2340 out of 9566 California schools. Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 58% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Math performance shows room for growth, with 39% of students reaching proficiency standards. Located at 10851 East Lampson Ave., the school sits within the 92840 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $90,983 and median home values reach $678,700. The surrounding community of 53,826 residents has a college education rate of 26% and a relatively low poverty rate of 10.7%.

Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate operates in Garden Grove's large suburban setting in Orange County, providing middle school education within an established residential community that offers stability and resources for students during these crucial transitional years.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate is 22:1, 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 Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Math vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,796

Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate — Students at Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 34.3%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 49.2%
School
State
46.8%

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
43%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
39.4%
ELA
57.9%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate Compares

See how Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in CA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

10851 East Lampson Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Excelsior Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Linton T. Simmons Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Garden Grove High (rated 8.1/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Garden Grove, see our Garden Grove schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ST COLUMBAN SCHOOL Garden Grove 0.2 mi 5.3
St. Columban Garden Grove 0.3 mi
Ethel M. Evans Elementary Garden Grove 0.3 mi 7.7
Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary Garden Grove 0.4 mi 7.2
Garden Grove High Garden Grove 0.4 mi 8.1
CHAPMAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Garden Grove 0.7 mi
OLIVE CREST ACADEMY Garden Grove 0.7 mi 6.2
OLIVE CREST ACADEMY - NORTH Garden Grove 0.7 mi 6.5
Olive Crest Academy - North Garden Grove 0.7 mi
Mark Twain Special Center Garden Grove 0.8 mi 7.6
Linton T. Simmons Elementary Garden Grove 0.9 mi 8.4
Mitchell Elementary Garden Grove 1.0 mi 5.8
Faylane Elementary Garden Grove 0.9 mi 7.4
Louis Lake Intermediate Garden Grove 1.0 mi 7.4
Ocia A. Peters Elementary Garden Grove 1.1 mi 6.4
Excelsior Elementary Garden Grove 1.2 mi 8.6
Brookhurst Elementary Garden Grove 1.0 mi 5.8
Sunnyside Elementary Garden Grove 1.2 mi 6.4
KING OF KINGS LUTHERAN Garden Grove 1.2 mi 5.5
Genevieve M. Crosby Elementary Garden Grove 1.1 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92840 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,555

Median Home Value

$746,900

Median Rent

$1,955/mo

Population

54,475

College Educated

28.5%

Homeownership

53.4%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate has a median household income of $96,555. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $746,900, with a median rent of $1,955/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Audubon Middle Los Angeles, CA 7.9
Burton Middle Porterville, CA 7.9
Farmersville Junior High Farmersville, CA 7.9
Letha Raney Intermediate Corona, CA 7.9
Nicolas Junior High Fullerton, CA 7.9
Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High Davis, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate

What grades does Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate serve?

Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate?

Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate has an enrollment of approximately 506 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate?

The student-teacher ratio at Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate rank in CA?

Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate is ranked #1497 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate's MySchoolScout rating?

Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate has 34.3% math proficiency and 49.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate a charter school?

No, Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate a Title I school?

No, Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate?

83.0% of students at Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate 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
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,050/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
506
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Garden Grove Unified
District Enrollment
37,763
Schools in District
66
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,026
District Rank
#24 of 64

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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