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Very Good

#3185 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 33% in state

James B. Davidson Middle

Middle School · San Rafael City Elementary

280 Woodland Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901

Enrollment

1,040

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Rafael

#4 of 17

public schools

California middle schools

#427 of 1,349

In district

#2 of 8

San Rafael City Elementary

School environment

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About James B. Davidson Middle

James B. Davidson Middle serves 1,040 students in grades 6 through 8 in San Rafael, California. With 54 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1, providing a manageable classroom environment for middle school learners.

The school currently ranks in the 53rd percentile among California middle schools, with room for academic growth as it works to support student achievement. Academic performance shows 38% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts, while 31% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect opportunities for continued focus on strengthening core academic skills during these crucial middle school years.

James B. Davidson Middle sits in the 94901 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $113,294 and half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.6%, with median home values of $1,298,400 reflecting the area's desirability.

Located on Woodland Avenue in this small city setting within Marin County, the school serves families in an educated, established community that values academic achievement and provides a supportive environment for students navigating the important transition years of middle school.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.6Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.4%
Math vs. State Avg-3.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,448

James B. Davidson Middle — Students at James B. Davidson Middle score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 39.6%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 12 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
33%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
40%
2024
Math
31%
ELA
38.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.

How James B. Davidson Middle Compares

See how James B. Davidson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in CA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Location

280 Woodland Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James B. Davidson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Adaline E. Kent Middle (rated 9.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Kentfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hall Middle (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Larkspur), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Rafael, see our San Rafael schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Laurel Dell Elementary San Rafael 0.1 mi 6.5
ST RAPHAEL SCHOOL San Rafael 0.6 mi 6.4
LINDAMOOD-BELL LEARNING PROCESSES SAN RAFAEL San Rafael 0.7 mi
Madrone High Continuation San Rafael 0.7 mi 5.9
San Rafael High San Rafael 0.8 mi 8.0
MARIN ACADEMY San Rafael 0.9 mi 6.7
Coleman Elementary San Rafael 0.9 mi 5.2
MARIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Kentfield 1.2 mi 5.3
Anthony G. Bacich Elementary Kentfield 1.2 mi 7.7
Adaline E. Kent Middle Kentfield 1.5 mi 9.1
Hall Middle Larkspur 1.9 mi 8.4
Redwood High Larkspur 1.9 mi 8.5
Bahia Vista Elementary San Rafael 1.5 mi 6.4
Tamiscal High (Alternative) Larkspur 1.9 mi 4.0
San Andreas High (Continuation) Larkspur 2.1 mi 7.8
Sun Valley Elementary San Rafael 1.9 mi 7.6
Ross Elementary Ross 1.8 mi 9.3
ST PATRICK SCHOOL Larkspur 2.2 mi 7.2
THE MARIN SCHOOL San Rafael 2.3 mi 7.4
Star Academy - Shoreline San Rafael 2.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,837

Median Home Value

$1,369,500

Median Rent

$2,229/mo

Population

41,095

College Educated

48.4%

Homeownership

49.9%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

42.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding James B. Davidson Middle has a median household income of $108,837. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,369,500, with a median rent of $2,229/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Alta Loma Middle South San Francisco, CA 7.1
Calavera Hills Middle Carlsbad, CA 7.1
Carmel Valley Middle Encinitas, CA 7.1
Earl Warren Junior High Bakersfield, CA 7.1
El Cerrito Middle Corona, CA 7.1
Granada Middle Whittier, CA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James B. Davidson Middle

What grades does James B. Davidson Middle serve?

James B. Davidson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend James B. Davidson Middle?

James B. Davidson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,040 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James B. Davidson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at James B. Davidson Middle is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James B. Davidson Middle rank in CA?

James B. Davidson Middle is ranked #3185 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is James B. Davidson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

James B. Davidson Middle has a composite rating of 7.1 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 James B. Davidson Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James B. Davidson Middle has 30.3% math proficiency and 39.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James B. Davidson Middle a charter school?

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

Is James B. Davidson Middle a Title I school?

No, James B. Davidson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James B. Davidson Middle?

72.9% of students at James B. Davidson 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
83 Very Walkable
Transit Score
52 Good Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,042/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,040
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Marin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Rafael City Elementary
District Enrollment
4,356
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,233
District Rank
#2 of 8

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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