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Average

#6013 of 9,533 schools in CA

Ethel Dwyer Middle

Middle School · Huntington Beach City Elementary

1502 Palm Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Enrollment

943

Student-Teacher

25.5:1

Score

5.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Huntington Beach

#26 of 32

public schools

California middle schools

#878 of 1,349

In district

#8 of 8

Huntington Beach City Elementary

Equity

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Ethel Dwyer Middle

Ethel Dwyer Middle serves 943 students in grades 6-8 in Huntington Beach, providing a solid academic foundation in Orange County's competitive educational landscape. With a student-teacher ratio of 25.5:1 and 37 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains its position as a strong performer, ranking in the 77th percentile statewide at #2222 out of 9,566 California schools. Academically, Ethel Dwyer Middle demonstrates notable strength with 65% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 56% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

The school's 8.5/10 academic score reflects consistent performance across grade levels, earning an overall MySchoolScout rating of 7.3/10. The school draws from an affluent and well-educated community where the median household income reaches $116,189 and half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of just 6.5% and median home values around $1.1 million, the surrounding neighborhood reflects the economic stability that often supports strong educational outcomes.

Located on Palm Avenue in Huntington Beach's large suburban setting, Ethel Dwyer Middle sits within a thriving coastal community known for its family-friendly atmosphere and commitment to education.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Ethel Dwyer Middle is 25.5:1, 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 Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.51 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.2%
Math vs. State Avg+21.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.3 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment3.3Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,666

Ethel Dwyer Middle — Students at Ethel Dwyer Middle score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.5%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 66.4%
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
64%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
55.9%
ELA
65%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.0/10.

How Ethel Dwyer Middle Compares

See how Ethel Dwyer Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in CA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

1502 Palm Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ethel Dwyer Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mesa View Middle (rated 7.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Isaac L. Sowers Middle (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Talbert (Samuel E.) Middle (rated 5.7/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Huntington Beach, see our Huntington Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Agnes L. Smith Elementary Huntington Beach 0.1 mi 6.7
Huntington Beach High Huntington Beach 0.5 mi 5.1
FUSION ACADEMY HUNTINGTON BEACH SEACLIFF VILLAGE Huntington Beach 0.8 mi 7.8
Patti's Preschool, Inc. Huntington Beach 0.9 mi
Kinetic Academy Huntington Beach 1.0 mi 7.8
HOLY FAMILY INSTITUTE Huntington Beach 1.1 mi
Holy Family Institute Huntington Beach 1.1 mi
Huntington Seacliff Elementary Huntington Beach 1.3 mi 7.7
John R. Peterson Elementary Huntington Beach 1.3 mi 7.8
S. A. Moffett Elementary Huntington Beach 1.8 mi 7.2
Newland (William T.) Elementary Huntington Beach 1.8 mi 8.6
Elm Tree Academy Huntington Beach 1.9 mi
STS SIMON & JUDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Huntington Beach 2.0 mi 6.5
St. Simon and St. Jude Elementary Huntington Beach 2.0 mi
Mesa View Middle Huntington Beach 2.6 mi 7.4
Talbert (Samuel E.) Middle Huntington Beach 2.2 mi 5.7
Hope View Elementary Huntington Beach 2.6 mi 4.8
Courreges (Roch) Elementary Fountain Valley 2.5 mi 7.2
Isaac L. Sowers Middle Huntington Beach 2.3 mi 6.7
Edison High Huntington Beach 2.4 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92648 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,993

Median Home Value

$1,176,000

Median Rent

$2,324/mo

Population

45,521

College Educated

51.2%

Homeownership

46.8%

Avg Commute

28.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

44

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ethel Dwyer Middle has a median household income of $118,993. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,176,000, with a median rent of $2,324/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% 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
C. E. Utt Middle Tustin, CA 5.8
Colton Middle Colton, CA 5.8
Cope Middle Redlands, CA 5.8
Creekside Middle Patterson, CA 5.8
Delta Sierra Middle Stockton, CA 5.8
Desert Willow Fine Arts Sci and Tech Magnet Acad Palmdale, CA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ethel Dwyer Middle

What grades does Ethel Dwyer Middle serve?

Ethel Dwyer Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Ethel Dwyer Middle?

Ethel Dwyer Middle has an enrollment of approximately 943 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ethel Dwyer Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Ethel Dwyer Middle is 25.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ethel Dwyer Middle rank in CA?

Ethel Dwyer Middle is ranked #6013 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Ethel Dwyer Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Ethel Dwyer Middle has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Ethel Dwyer Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ethel Dwyer Middle has 57.5% math proficiency and 66.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ethel Dwyer Middle a charter school?

No, Ethel Dwyer Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ethel Dwyer Middle a Title I school?

No, Ethel Dwyer Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ethel Dwyer Middle?

38.2% of students at Ethel Dwyer 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 (2,213/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huntington Beach). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
943
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Huntington Beach City Elementary
District Enrollment
4,628
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,730
District Rank
#8 of 8

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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