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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.6%
Math vs. State Avg-12.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,156

EL Capitan Middle — Students at EL Capitan Middle score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.6%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 31.8%
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
24%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
21.4%
ELA
32.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.6/10
57th percentile in CA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Unified
District Enrollment
15,956
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,205
District Rank
#6 of 23

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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