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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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Math vs. State Avg-5.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,030

Ernest Lawrence Middle — Students at Ernest Lawrence Middle score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.1%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
44%
ELA
55%
2024
Math
29.1%
ELA
46%

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.

Overall Score
5.7/10
34th percentile in CA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Stoney Point Continuation Chatsworth 0.3 mi 6.5
Chatsworth Charter High Chatsworth 0.4 mi 6.9
William Tell Aggeler Opportunity High Chatsworth 0.8 mi 5.8
Aggeler Community Day Chatsworth 0.8 mi
Germain Academy For Academic Achievement Chatsworth 0.7 mi 5.7
ST JOHN EUDES SCHOOL Chatsworth 0.7 mi 6.9
St. John Eudes Chatsworth 0.7 mi
Chatsworth Park ES Urban Planning/Comm Development Magnet Chatsworth 0.9 mi 8.3
MONTESSORI OF CHATSWORTH Chatsworth 1.0 mi
Sierra Canyon School Chatsworth 1.2 mi
SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL Chatsworth 1.3 mi 6.8
SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL Chatsworth 1.2 mi 6.0
Superior Street Elementary Chatsworth 1.1 mi 7.1
Academy for Advancement of Children With Autism Chatsworth 1.2 mi
DNA Prep Academy Chatsworth 1.4 mi
Al Falaq Meraj Academy Chatsworth 1.5 mi
EGREMONT SCHOOLS Chatsworth 1.5 mi 6.3
Egremont Schools, Inc. Chatsworth 1.5 mi
CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY MIDDLE SCHOOL Chatsworth 1.5 mi 5.0
Our Community Charter Chatsworth 1.6 mi 5.3

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
51 Good Transit
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable
County Safety
Low (245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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