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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.8%
Math vs. State Avg-18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.5 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment5.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,797

Harden Middle — Students at Harden Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.0%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 30.1%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
19%
ELA
34%
2024
Math
15%
ELA
28.7%

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.

Overall Score
5.6/10
32th percentile in CA
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,228/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Salinas Union High
District Enrollment
16,225
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,435
District Rank
#9 of 12

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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