Below Average
#7393 of 9,539 schools in CA
Gifford C. Cole Middle
Middle School · Eastside Union Elementary
3126 East Avenue I, Lancaster, CA 93535
Enrollment
687
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
687
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,393 of 9,539
In Lancaster
#14 of 47
public schools
In district
#4 of 5
Eastside Union Elementary
School environment
7.3 / 10
Very Good
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Gifford C. Cole Middle
Middle School in Lancaster · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Eastside Academy/transitional Learning Center
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Tierra Bonita Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gifford C. Cole Middle
Gifford C. Cole Middle is a public middle school in Lancaster, CA, part of Eastside Union Elementary. Gifford C.
Cole Middle serves approximately 687 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Gifford C. Cole Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #7,393 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Gifford C. Cole Middle show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Gifford C. Cole Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
43% of students at Gifford C. Cole Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gifford C. Cole Middle — Students at Gifford C. Cole Middle score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 4.6/10.
How Gifford C. Cole Middle Compares
See how Gifford C. Cole Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
3126 East Avenue I, Lancaster, CA 93535
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gifford C. Cole Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Piute Middle (rated 4.8/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Fulton and Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering (rated 4.5/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, New Vista Middle (rated 3.7/10, 3.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eastside Academy/Transitional Learning Center Lancaster | 0.1 mi | — |
| Tierra Bonita Elementary Lancaster | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Lancaster Baptist School Lancaster | 0.9 mi | — |
| LANCASTER BAPTIST SCHOOL Lancaster | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Columbia Elementary Lancaster | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Enterprise Elementary Lancaster | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Eastside High Lancaster | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Discovery Lancaster | 1.4 mi | 3.6 |
| W T Reynolds Academy Lancaster | 1.9 mi | — |
| Lincoln Elementary Lancaster | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Promise Academy Lancster | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| EMPOWERED CHURCH INTERNATIONAL/ LEARNING ACADEMY Lancaster | 2.6 mi | — |
| Linda Verde Elementary Lancaster | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Fulton and Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering Lancaster | 3.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Jack Northrop Elementary Lancaster | 3.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Desert Winds Continuation High Lancaster | 2.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Piute Middle Lancaster | 2.8 mi | 4.8 |
| New Vista Middle Lancaster | 3.1 mi | 3.7 |
| El Dorado Elementary Lancaster | 3.0 mi | 3.5 |
| ELM/KWA PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lancaster | 3.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93535 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,989
Median Home Value
$336,200
Median Rent
$1,650/mo
Population
80,478
College Educated
14.2%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
33.5 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Median Age
31.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Almeria Middle Fontana, CA | 4.9 |
| Arden Middle Sacramento, CA | 4.9 |
| Davis (Caroline) Intermediate San Jose, CA | 4.9 |
| Elmhurst United Middle Oakland, CA | 4.9 |
| Fesler (Isaac) Junior High Santa Maria, CA | 4.9 |
| Los Banos Junior High Los Banos, CA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gifford C. Cole Middle
What grades does Gifford C. Cole Middle serve?
Gifford C. Cole Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Gifford C. Cole Middle?
Gifford C. Cole Middle has an enrollment of approximately 687 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gifford C. Cole Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Gifford C. Cole Middle is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gifford C. Cole Middle rank in CA?
Gifford C. Cole Middle ranks #7,393 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Gifford C. Cole Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Gifford C. Cole Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Gifford C. Cole Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gifford C. Cole Middle has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Gifford C. Cole Middle a charter school?
No, Gifford C. Cole Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gifford C. Cole Middle a Title I school?
No, Gifford C. Cole Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gifford C. Cole Middle?
86.3% of students at Gifford C. Cole 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 687
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.5%
- Phone
- (661) 946-1041
Resources & Links
District
Eastside Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 3,114
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,598
- District Rank
- #4 of 5
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