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
Enrollment
506
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
7.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 39.39% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57.96% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (714) 663-6366
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Garden Grove Unified- District Enrollment
- 37,763
- Schools in District
- 66
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,026
- District Rank
- #24 of 64
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.