Average
#6487 of 9,533 schools in CA
Harden Middle
Middle School · Salinas Union High
1561 McKinnon St., Salinas, CA 93906
Enrollment
1,127
Student-Teacher
23:1
Score
5.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,127
Student-Teacher
23:1
Score
5.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salinas
#28 of 60
public schools
California middle schools
#965 of 1,349
In district
#9 of 12
Salinas Union High
About Harden Middle
Harden Middle serves 1,127 students in grades 7-8 in Salinas, California, operating as a regular public school with 49 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 23:1. The school currently faces academic challenges, with room for significant growth in core subjects. In English Language Arts, 29% of students achieve proficiency or above, while mathematics shows 15% proficiency across grade levels.
Located on McKinnon Street in the 93906 ZIP code area, Harden Middle sits within a community where the median household income reaches $93,626 and median home values are $568,500. The surrounding neighborhood has a poverty rate of 10%, and approximately 17% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranking in the 19th percentile among California middle schools, Harden Middle is working to improve student outcomes and academic achievement.
The school's substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger middle schools in the region, serving families across this mid-size city setting. Despite current academic challenges, the school continues to serve its diverse student body in a community with relatively stable economic indicators compared to other areas in the region.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Harden Middle is 23:1, 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
Harden Middle — Students at Harden Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.8%
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: 6.2/10.
How Harden Middle Compares
See how Harden Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 14.98% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 28.75% (2024).
Location
1561 McKinnon St., Salinas, CA 93906
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harden Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. El Puente (rated 7.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Salinas City Virtual Academy (rated 6.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wellington M. Smith Jr. (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Salinas, see our Salinas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salinas | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Anthem Christian School Salinas | 0.2 mi | — |
| North Salinas High Salinas | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| McKinnon Salinas | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| El Gabilan Elementary Salinas | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Natividad Elementary Salinas | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Madonna del Sasso School Salinas | 1.0 mi | — |
| Santa Rita Elementary Salinas | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Henry F. Kammann Elementary Salinas | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Wellington M. Smith Jr. Salinas | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Salinas Community Salinas | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Salinas City Virtual Academy Salinas | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| New Republic Elementary Salinas | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Gavilan View Middle Salinas | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Mount Toro High Salinas | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Loma Vista Elementary Salinas | 1.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Carr Lake Community Day Salinas | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| El Puente Salinas | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Oasis Charter Public Salinas | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| La Joya Elementary Salinas | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$96,044
Median Home Value
$595,200
Median Rent
$2,127/mo
Population
64,592
College Educated
17.2%
Homeownership
54.4%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
33.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harden Middle has a median household income of $96,044. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $595,200, with a median rent of $2,127/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Bonita Vista Middle Chula Vista, CA | 5.6 |
| Borel Middle San Mateo, CA | 5.6 |
| Columbia Middle Adelanto, CA | 5.6 |
| Creekside Junior High Los Banos, CA | 5.6 |
| David G. Millen Law and Government Magnet Academy Palmdale, CA | 5.6 |
| Diamond Valley Middle Hemet, CA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harden Middle
What grades does Harden Middle serve?
Harden Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Harden Middle?
Harden Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,127 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harden Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Harden Middle is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harden Middle rank in CA?
Harden Middle is ranked #6487 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Harden Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Harden Middle has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Harden Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harden Middle has 16.0% math proficiency and 30.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harden Middle a charter school?
No, Harden Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harden Middle a Title I school?
No, Harden Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harden Middle?
91.8% of students at Harden 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,127
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 796-7300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Salinas Union High- District Enrollment
- 16,225
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,435
- District Rank
- #9 of 12
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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