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
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Isbell Middle — Students at Isbell Middle score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.2%
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: 8.8/10.
How Isbell Middle Compares
See how Isbell Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 15.83% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 34.09% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (805) 933-8880
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Paula Unified- District Enrollment
- 4,808
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,620
- District Rank
- #2 of 9
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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