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Below Average

#7503 of 9,539 schools in CA

Isbell Middle

Middle School · Santa Paula Unified

221 South Fourth St., Santa Paula, CA 93060

Enrollment

671

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

4.8

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,503 of 9,539

In Santa Paula

#13 of 13

public schools

In district

#9 of 9

Santa Paula Unified

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Isbell Middle

4.8/10

Middle School in Santa Paula · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Sebastian School

6.1/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Santa Paula High

7.2/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Isbell Middle

Isbell Middle is a public middle school in Santa Paula, CA, part of Santa Paula Unified. Isbell Middle serves approximately 671 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 21.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Isbell Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #7,503 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Isbell Middle show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below CA schools
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Isbell Middle runs 21.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

32% of students at Isbell 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 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change-2.42 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.2 pts
Overall Proficiency25% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,620
Chronic Absenteeism31.7%

Isbell Middle — Students at Isbell Middle score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.0% (multi-year average, 2013-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 34.2% (multi-year average, 2013-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 22 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
26%
2022
Math
13%
ELA
27.7%
2024
Math
15.9%
ELA
34.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.9/10.

How Isbell Middle Compares

See how Isbell Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
21th percentile in CA
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

221 South Fourth St., Santa Paula, CA 93060

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Isbell Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Somis Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Somis), which scores notably higher. Another option is McKevett Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Grace Thille Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Paula, see our Santa Paula schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ST SEBASTIAN SCHOOL Santa Paula 0.4 mi 6.1
Santa Paula High Santa Paula 0.6 mi 7.2
Renaissance High Santa Paula 0.6 mi 4.9
McKevett Elementary Santa Paula 0.7 mi 8.6
Grace Thille Elementary Santa Paula 0.6 mi 8.3
Barbara Webster Elementary Santa Paula 0.8 mi 4.8
Glen City Elementary Santa Paula 0.8 mi 8.0
Blanchard Elementary Santa Paula 1.2 mi 6.8
Thelma Bedell Elementary Santa Paula 1.8 mi 7.0
Mupu Elementary Santa Paula 2.6 mi 5.5
Briggs Elementary Santa Paula 2.7 mi 5.8
Santa Clara Elementary Santa Paula 4.2 mi 5.5
Olivelands Elementary Santa Paula 4.5 mi 4.9
Mesa Elementary Somis 6.2 mi 5.8
Camarillo Heights STEM Academy Camarillo 7.5 mi 7.5
SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ventura 6.8 mi 6.0
Academy of Technology & Leadership at Saticoy Ventura 6.9 mi 7.0
Somis Elementary Somis 7.4 mi 9.0
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Camarillo 8.0 mi 6.9
Rancho Campana High Camarillo 7.8 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93060 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,606

Median Home Value

$582,900

Median Rent

$1,678/mo

Population

34,640

College Educated

16%

Homeownership

54.2%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.4%

Median Age

35.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Barbara Worth Junior High Brawley, CA 4.8
Buena Park Middle Buena Park, CA 4.8
Chemawa Middle Riverside, CA 4.8
Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs, CA 4.8
KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory Los Angeles, CA 4.8
Lick (James) Middle San Francisco, CA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Isbell Middle

What grades does Isbell Middle serve?

Isbell Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Isbell Middle?

Isbell Middle has an enrollment of approximately 671 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Isbell Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Isbell Middle is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Isbell Middle rank in CA?

Isbell Middle ranks #7,503 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Isbell Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Isbell Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Isbell Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Isbell Middle has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).

Is Isbell Middle a charter school?

No, Isbell Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Isbell Middle a Title I school?

No, Isbell Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Isbell Middle?

84.2% of students at Isbell 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
85 Very Walkable
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Ventura County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.7%

District

Santa Paula Unified
District Enrollment
4,808
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,620
District Rank
#9 of 9

How we rate schools

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