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
Enrollment
1,040
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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James B. Davidson Middle — Students at James B. Davidson Middle score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 33% (2019) to 31% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 38.43% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (415) 485-2400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Rafael City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,356
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,233
- District Rank
- #2 of 8
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.
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