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Average

#5064 of 9,533 schools in CA

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High

Middle School · Davis Joint Unified

4000 East Covell Blvd., Davis, CA 95618

Enrollment

552

Student-Teacher

21.2:1

Score

6.2

Grades

7th – 9th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Davis

#11 of 16

public schools

California middle schools

#736 of 1,349

In district

#11 of 16

Davis Joint Unified

Equity

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High serves 552 students in grades 7-9 in Davis, California, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 21.2:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. This middle school earns a solid 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 73rd percentile statewide, placing #2621 among California's 9,566 schools. Academically, Harper Junior High demonstrates strong performance with 56% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while 45% reach proficiency in mathematics.

The school's 7.5 out of 10 academic score reflects consistent student achievement across the middle school years. The school draws from an educated community where 74% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, contributing to a median household income of $105,625. This affluent academic environment, reflected in the area's median home value of $803,600, supports student learning despite a notable 20.9% poverty rate that brings economic diversity to the student body.

Harper Junior High operates as a regular public middle school, providing comprehensive education during these crucial transitional years when students prepare for high school. The school is situated in Davis's small suburban setting, benefiting from the college town atmosphere and community commitment to education that characterizes this vibrant Yolo County city.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High is 21.2:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.1%
Math vs. State Avg+11.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.8 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment6.8Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,229

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High — Students at Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.3%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 56.9%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 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
54%
ELA
60%
2024
Math
45%
ELA
55.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.

How Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High Compares

See how Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in CA
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

4000 East Covell Blvd., Davis, CA 95618

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ralph Waldo Emerson Junior High (rated 8.3/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Davis, see our Davis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Fred T. Korematsu Elementary at Mace Ranch Davis 0.5 mi 5.0
Pioneer Elementary Davis 1.2 mi 6.5
Birch Lane Elementary Davis 1.4 mi 5.8
Marguerite Montgomery Elementary Davis 1.7 mi 7.1
PEREGRINE SCHOOL Davis 1.9 mi 7.1
Da Vinci Charter Academy Davis 1.9 mi 6.2
Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High Davis 2.0 mi 7.9
North Davis Elementary Davis 2.4 mi 7.7
Davis School for Independent Study Davis 2.6 mi 7.1
ST JAMES SCHOOL Davis 2.6 mi 6.3
King (Martin Luther) High (Continuation) Davis 2.6 mi 5.1
Davis Senior High Davis 2.7 mi 7.5
Cesar Chavez Elementary Davis 3.2 mi 5.9
Davis Waldorf School Davis 3.5 mi
Robert E. Willett Elementary Davis 3.5 mi 6.4
DAVIS WALDORF SCHOOL Davis 3.5 mi 6.5
Ralph Waldo Emerson Junior High Davis 4.2 mi 8.3
Patwin Elementary Davis 4.2 mi 7.5
TENDER LEARNING CARE Davis 4.6 mi
Spring Lake Elementary Woodland 5.8 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95618 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$112,454

Median Home Value

$839,900

Median Rent

$2,237/mo

Population

27,007

College Educated

72.3%

Homeownership

54.3%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

20.9%

Median Age

31.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High has a median household income of $112,454. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $839,900, with a median rent of $2,237/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Bernal Intermediate San Jose, CA 6.2
Bert Corona Charter Pacoima, CA 6.2
Earlimart Middle Earlimart, CA 6.2
George Washington Carver Middle Los Angeles, CA 6.2
Lindsey Academy Long Beach, CA 6.2
Los Alisos Intermediate Mission Viejo, CA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High

What grades does Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High serve?

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 9th.

How many students attend Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High?

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 552 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High rank in CA?

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High is ranked #5064 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High has 47.3% math proficiency and 56.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High a charter school?

No, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High a Title I school?

No, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High?

28.4% of students at Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High 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 (2,437/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
552
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Yolo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Davis Joint Unified
District Enrollment
8,361
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,726
District Rank
#11 of 16

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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