Average
#6252 of 9,533 schools in CA
Ernest Lawrence Middle
Middle School · Los Angeles Unified
10100 Variel Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311
Enrollment
1,072
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,072
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chatsworth
#7 of 8
public schools
California middle schools
#916 of 1,349
In district
#694 of 769
Los Angeles Unified
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Ernest Lawrence Middle
Ernest Lawrence Middle serves 1,072 students in grades 6-8 in Chatsworth, California. With 48 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.3:1, providing a structured learning environment for its sizable middle school population. Academically, Ernest Lawrence Middle shows room for growth, with 46% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 29% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school ranks in the 52nd percentile statewide among California middle schools, indicating performance near the state average with opportunities for continued improvement in student achievement. The school serves a community with solid economic foundations, where families enjoy a median household income of $112,172 and 44% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 6.1% reflects the stability of this Chatsworth area, where median home values reach $789,500.
As a regular public middle school, Ernest Lawrence Middle provides comprehensive education during these critical transitional years when students prepare for high school. The school operates within Los Angeles County's diverse educational landscape, serving families in this well-established San Fernando Valley community known for its suburban character and proximity to both urban amenities and natural spaces.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ernest Lawrence Middle is 22.3:1, 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
Ernest Lawrence Middle — Students at Ernest Lawrence Middle score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.4/10.
How Ernest Lawrence Middle Compares
See how Ernest Lawrence Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 29.19% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 46.04% (2024).
Location
10100 Variel Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ernest Lawrence Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chatsworth Park ES Urban Planning/Comm Development Magnet (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Superior Street Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chatsworth Charter High (rated 6.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chatsworth, see our Chatsworth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91311 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,574
Median Home Value
$837,300
Median Rent
$2,199/mo
Population
40,557
College Educated
44.9%
Homeownership
66.8%
Avg Commute
29.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ernest Lawrence Middle has a median household income of $117,574. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $837,300, with a median rent of $2,199/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Alvarado Intermediate Rowland Heights, CA | 5.7 |
| Bell Middle San Diego, CA | 5.7 |
| Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon, CA | 5.7 |
| Charlotte Wood Middle Danville, CA | 5.7 |
| Clark Intermediate Clovis, CA | 5.7 |
| Cucamonga Middle Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ernest Lawrence Middle
What grades does Ernest Lawrence Middle serve?
Ernest Lawrence Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ernest Lawrence Middle?
Ernest Lawrence Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,072 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ernest Lawrence Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Ernest Lawrence Middle is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ernest Lawrence Middle rank in CA?
Ernest Lawrence Middle is ranked #6252 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ernest Lawrence Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Ernest Lawrence Middle has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Ernest Lawrence Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ernest Lawrence Middle has 32.1% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ernest Lawrence Middle a charter school?
No, Ernest Lawrence Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ernest Lawrence Middle a Title I school?
No, Ernest Lawrence Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ernest Lawrence Middle?
64.8% of students at Ernest Lawrence 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,072
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (818) 678-7900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Los Angeles Unified- District Enrollment
- 419,929
- Schools in District
- 785
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,687
- District Rank
- #694 of 769
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
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