Average
#4337 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 46% in state
First Avenue Middle
Middle School · Arcadia Unified
301 South First Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007
Enrollment
707
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
707
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arcadia
#7 of 12
public schools
California middle schools
#622 of 1,349
In district
#7 of 11
Arcadia Unified
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About First Avenue Middle
First Avenue Middle serves 707 students in grades 6-8 in Arcadia, California, earning strong recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranking in the 88th percentile statewide (#1,171 out of 9,566 California schools), the school demonstrates impressive academic achievement. Students consistently perform well on standardized assessments, with 76% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 66% meeting standards in mathematics.
The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.2:1 across its 28 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a structured learning environment for middle school students navigating this crucial developmental period. First Avenue Middle draws families from an educated and stable community, where 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $93,128. The school's 91007 ZIP code area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.4%, contributing to a supportive educational atmosphere.
Located on South First Avenue, the school sits in the heart of Arcadia, a well-established small city in Los Angeles County known for its family-friendly neighborhoods and commitment to education.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at First Avenue Middle is 25.2:1, 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
First Avenue Middle — Students at First Avenue Middle score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.9%
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: 5.8/10.
How First Avenue Middle Compares
See how First Avenue Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 65.91% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 75.82% (2024).
Location
301 South First Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering First Avenue Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Richard Henry Dana Middle (rated 7.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Foothills Middle (rated 6.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Arcadia, see our Arcadia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rancho Learning Center (Alternative) Arcadia | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Arcadia College Preparatory Arcadia | 0.4 mi | — |
| EXCELSIOR SCHOOL Arcadia | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Arroyo Pacific Academy Arcadia | 0.6 mi | — |
| ARROYO PACIFIC ACADEMY Arcadia | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF ARCADIA Monrovia | 0.7 mi | — |
| Arcadia High Arcadia | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Richard Henry Dana Middle Arcadia | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| ARCADIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Arcadia | 0.9 mi | — |
| BARNHART SCHOOL Arcadia | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Barnhart School Arcadia | 0.9 mi | — |
| Monrovia High Monrovia | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Camino Grove Elementary Arcadia | 1.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Holy Angels Arcadia | 1.0 mi | — |
| HOLY ANGELS SCHOOL Arcadia | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Foothills Middle Arcadia | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Holly Avenue Elementary Arcadia | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| ARCADIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcadia | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Monroe Elementary Monrovia | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Highland Oaks Elementary Arcadia | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91007 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,762
Median Home Value
$1,231,100
Median Rent
$2,129/mo
Population
33,141
College Educated
53.5%
Homeownership
52.1%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
7%
Median Age
43.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding First Avenue Middle has a median household income of $101,762. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,231,100, with a median rent of $2,129/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Alamitos Intermediate Garden Grove, CA | 6.5 |
| Andrew N. Christensen Middle Livermore, CA | 6.5 |
| Animo James B. Taylor Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA | 6.5 |
| Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella, CA | 6.5 |
| Crystal Middle Suisun City, CA | 6.5 |
| Excelsior Elementary Roseville, CA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about First Avenue Middle
What grades does First Avenue Middle serve?
First Avenue Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend First Avenue Middle?
First Avenue Middle has an enrollment of approximately 707 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at First Avenue Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at First Avenue Middle is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does First Avenue Middle rank in CA?
First Avenue Middle is ranked #4337 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is First Avenue Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
First Avenue Middle has a composite rating of 6.5 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 First Avenue Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, First Avenue Middle has 67.6% math proficiency and 76.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is First Avenue Middle a charter school?
No, First Avenue Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is First Avenue Middle a Title I school?
No, First Avenue Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for First Avenue Middle?
35.9% of students at First Avenue 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 (3,064/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Arcadia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 707
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (626) 821-8362
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arcadia Unified- District Enrollment
- 8,988
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,641
- District Rank
- #7 of 11
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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