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Very Good

#2784 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 29% in state

Isbell Middle

Middle School · Santa Paula Unified

221 South Fourth St., Santa Paula, CA 93060

Enrollment

671

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

7.2

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Paula

#2 of 13

public schools

California middle schools

#357 of 1,349

In district

#2 of 9

Santa Paula Unified

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Isbell Middle

Isbell Middle is a regular public school located in Santa Paula, California, on the edge of an urban area. Serving seventh and eighth graders, Isbell Middle has an enrollment of 671 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1. The school prides itself on having 31 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse student body.

Isbell Middle's academic performance places it in the lower half of California schools, ranking at #5933 out of 9,566 total schools and receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6/10 with an academic score of 3.5/10. In terms of subject proficiency, only 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 17% meet the same standard in Math. While these figures indicate areas for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and growth.

Isbell Middle is situated in a town that offers both urban conveniences and a close-knit community feel. The school's location makes it easily accessible to families living nearby and contributes to its strong ties with local resources and community organizations.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Isbell Middle is 21.6:1, 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 Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.1%
Math vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.2 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,602

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 16.7%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
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
26%
2024
Math
15.9%
ELA
34.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.

How Isbell Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
71th percentile in CA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

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. McKevett Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Camarillo Heights STEM Academy (rated 8.3/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Camarillo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rancho Campana High (rated 8.1/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Camarillo), which scores slightly 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 5.2
Renaissance High Santa Paula 0.6 mi 5.3
McKevett Elementary Santa Paula 0.7 mi 8.5
Grace Thille Elementary Santa Paula 0.6 mi 4.5
Barbara Webster Elementary Santa Paula 0.8 mi 4.9
Glen City Elementary Santa Paula 0.8 mi 6.3
Blanchard Elementary Santa Paula 1.2 mi 6.2
Thelma Bedell Elementary Santa Paula 1.8 mi 3.9
Mupu Elementary Santa Paula 2.6 mi 4.8
Briggs Elementary Santa Paula 2.7 mi 3.7
Santa Clara Elementary Santa Paula 4.2 mi 4.5
Olivelands Elementary Santa Paula 4.5 mi 5.3
Mesa Elementary Somis 6.2 mi 5.1
Camarillo Heights STEM Academy Camarillo 7.5 mi 8.3
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 7.9
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Isbell Middle has a median household income of $79,606. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $582,900, with a median rent of $1,678/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Castillero Middle San Jose, CA 7.2
Charles Drew Middle Los Angeles, CA 7.2
Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle Placentia, CA 7.2
Diablo View Middle Clayton, CA 7.2
Elizabeth Terronez Middle Fresno, CA 7.2
Haskell (Pliny Fisk) Middle Cerritos, CA 7.2

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 is ranked #2784 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Isbell Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Isbell Middle has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Isbell Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Isbell Middle has 16.7% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
Elevated (1,217/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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