Average
#4115 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 43% in state
EL Capitan Middle
Middle School · Central Unified
4443 West Weldon Ave., Fresno, CA 93722
Enrollment
739
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
739
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fresno
#84 of 175
public schools
California middle schools
#587 of 1,349
In district
#6 of 23
Central Unified
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About EL Capitan Middle
El Capitan Middle serves grades seven and eight in Fresno, California, with an enrollment of 739 students. The school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 20.5 to 1, supported by 36 full-time equivalent teachers. As a regular public middle school located in a large city, El Capitan draws from the Fresno community and provides foundational educational experiences during students' early teenage years.
Academically, the school is working to strengthen its performance in core subjects. In English language arts, about 32 percent of students score at proficient levels or above, while mathematics proficiency stands at 23 percent. These results suggest the school has significant room for academic growth and development.
The MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 reflects these current performance levels, with the school ranking at the 38th percentile among California schools. For families considering El Capitan Middle, it's worth noting that the school serves an important role in the Fresno educational landscape, particularly for students in the middle grades. The student population of nearly 750 gives the school a mid-sized feel within an urban setting, which can offer both established programs and opportunities for meaningful teacher-student connections.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at EL Capitan Middle is 20.5:1, 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
EL Capitan Middle — Students at EL Capitan Middle score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.5%
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: 7.1/10.
How EL Capitan Middle Compares
See how EL Capitan Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 21.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 32.58% (2024).
Location
4443 West Weldon Ave., Fresno, CA 93722
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering EL Capitan Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cooper Middle (rated 6.3/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Glacier Point Middle (rated 6.3/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Fresno, see our Fresno schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McKinley Elementary Fresno | 0.1 mi | 3.3 |
| Fresno California Academy Fresno | 0.4 mi | — |
| Central Unified Alternative/Opportunity Fresno | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Central Elementary Fresno | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| New Horizons Private School Fresno | 1.2 mi | — |
| Hanh Phan Tilley Elementary Fresno | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Central Online Home Fresno | 1.2 mi | 3.4 |
| John Steinbeck Elementary Fresno | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Central East High Fresno | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Royal Beginnings Fresno | 1.4 mi | — |
| Addams Elementary Fresno | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Dewolf Continuation High Fresno | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Teague Elementary Fresno | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Madison Elementary Fresno | 2.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Crescent View South II Fresno | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Cooper Middle Fresno | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Homan Elementary Fresno | 2.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Golden Charter Academy Fresno | 2.5 mi | 2.6 |
| Glacier Point Middle Fresno | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Wilson Elementary Fresno | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93722 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,335
Median Home Value
$350,700
Median Rent
$1,529/mo
Population
84,500
College Educated
23.2%
Homeownership
60.6%
Avg Commute
23.8 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Median Age
32.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding EL Capitan Middle has a median household income of $77,335. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $350,700, with a median rent of $1,529/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Bert M. Lynn Middle Torrance, CA | 6.6 |
| Camerado Springs Middle Cameron Park, CA | 6.6 |
| Canoga Park Middle Canoga Park, CA | 6.6 |
| Central Middle Riverside, CA | 6.6 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle Lynwood, CA | 6.6 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle Union City, CA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about EL Capitan Middle
What grades does EL Capitan Middle serve?
EL Capitan Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend EL Capitan Middle?
EL Capitan Middle has an enrollment of approximately 739 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at EL Capitan Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at EL Capitan Middle is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does EL Capitan Middle rank in CA?
EL Capitan Middle is ranked #4115 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is EL Capitan Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
EL Capitan Middle has a composite rating of 6.6 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 EL Capitan Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, EL Capitan Middle has 22.6% math proficiency and 31.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is EL Capitan Middle a charter school?
No, EL Capitan Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is EL Capitan Middle a Title I school?
No, EL Capitan Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for EL Capitan Middle?
86.5% of students at EL Capitan 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,045/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fresno). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 739
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Fresno County
- Phone
- (559) 276-5270
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Unified- District Enrollment
- 15,956
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,205
- District Rank
- #6 of 23
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.
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