Average
#3718 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 39% in state
Gifford C. Cole Middle
Middle School · Eastside Union Elementary
3126 East Avenue I, Lancaster, CA 93535
Enrollment
687
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
687
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lancaster
#7 of 47
public schools
California middle schools
#533 of 1,349
In district
#2 of 5
Eastside Union Elementary
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Gifford C. Cole Middle
Gifford C. Cole Middle is a regular public middle school located in the rural outskirts of Lancaster, California, within Los Angeles County. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 687 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.1:1 with 36 full-time equivalent teachers.
While Gifford C. Cole Middle’s academic performance currently places it in the lower tier among California schools—ranking 31st percentile statewide and scoring 2.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's rating system—it is clear that there are opportunities for growth and improvement. The school aims to support its students' development, particularly with a focus on academic proficiency where only 25% of students are proficient in English Language Arts/Reading and just 8% meet the standard in math.
Gifford C. Cole Middle stands as an integral part of the rural community near Lancaster, offering a supportive environment for young adolescents to learn and grow together.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Gifford C. Cole Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Gifford C. Cole Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
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 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How Gifford C. Cole Middle Compares
See how Gifford C. Cole Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 7% (2019) to 8.36% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 25.47% (2024).
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 5.4/10, 2.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is New Vista Middle (rated 5.1/10, 3.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Fulton and Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering (rated 4.2/10, 3.0 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 | 4.2 |
| Lancaster Baptist School Lancaster | 0.9 mi | — |
| LANCASTER BAPTIST SCHOOL Lancaster | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Columbia Elementary Lancaster | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Enterprise Elementary Lancaster | 1.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Eastside High Lancaster | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Discovery Lancaster | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| W T Reynolds Academy Lancaster | 1.9 mi | — |
| Lincoln Elementary Lancaster | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Promise Academy Lancster | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| EMPOWERED CHURCH INTERNATIONAL/ LEARNING ACADEMY Lancaster | 2.6 mi | — |
| Linda Verde Elementary Lancaster | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Fulton and Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering Lancaster | 3.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Jack Northrop Elementary Lancaster | 3.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Desert Winds Continuation High Lancaster | 2.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Piute Middle Lancaster | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| New Vista Middle Lancaster | 3.1 mi | 5.1 |
| El Dorado Elementary Lancaster | 3.0 mi | 3.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gifford C. Cole Middle has a median household income of $65,989. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $336,200, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Beverly Vista Middle Beverly Hills, CA | 6.8 |
| Bret Harte Middle Oakland, CA | 6.8 |
| Charles D. Jones Middle Baldwin Park, CA | 6.8 |
| Corona Fundamental Intermediate Corona, CA | 6.8 |
| Elmhurst United Middle Oakland, CA | 6.8 |
| Fred T. Korematsu Middle El Cerrito, CA | 6.8 |
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 is ranked #3718 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Gifford C. Cole Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Gifford C. Cole Middle has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Gifford C. Cole Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gifford C. Cole Middle has 8.0% math proficiency and 24.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,788/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lancaster). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (661) 946-1041
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Eastside Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 3,114
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,598
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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