Below Average
#8255 of 9,539 schools in CA
James Monroe Middle
Middle School · Sierra Sands Unified
340 West Church St., Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Enrollment
542
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
542
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,255 of 9,539
In Ridgecrest
#8 of 10
public schools
In district
#8 of 10
Sierra Sands Unified
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James Monroe Middle
Middle School in Ridgecrest · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St. Ann
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Ann School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Monroe Middle
James Monroe Middle is a public middle school in Ridgecrest, CA, part of Sierra Sands Unified. James Monroe Middle serves approximately 542 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. James Monroe Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #8,255 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for James Monroe Middle show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 4.5
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
James Monroe Middle runs 20.8:1 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.
36% of students at James Monroe 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James Monroe Middle — Students at James Monroe Middle score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.9/10.
How James Monroe Middle Compares
See how James Monroe Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
340 West Church St., Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Monroe Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST ANN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burroughs High (rated 6.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ridgecrest, see our Ridgecrest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| St. Ann Ridgecrest | 0.1 mi | — |
| ST ANN SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Balas Montessori Home School Ridgecrest | 0.5 mi | — |
| RIDGECREST ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Ridgecrest | 0.7 mi | — |
| Ridgecrest Adventist Elementary Ridgecrest | 0.7 mi | — |
| St. Thomas Ridgecrest | 0.7 mi | — |
| Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci Ridgecrest | 0.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Las Flores Elementary Ridgecrest | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Ridgecrest Montessori Children's House Ridgecrest | 1.1 mi | — |
| HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Long Point Academy Ridgecrest | 1.2 mi | — |
| Mesquite Continuation High Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Pierce Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | 3.1 |
| Murray Middle Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Burroughs High Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Gateway Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Richmond Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Faller Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Calvary Christian School Ridgecrest | 1.8 mi | — |
| IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93555 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,141
Median Home Value
$235,400
Median Rent
$1,180/mo
Population
33,629
College Educated
30.5%
Homeownership
62.7%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
35.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fairmead Elementary Chowchilla, CA | 4.3 |
| Fort Miller Middle Fresno, CA | 4.3 |
| High Tech Middle Media Arts San Diego, CA | 4.3 |
| Los Arboles Middle Marina, CA | 4.3 |
| Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 12 Los Angeles, CA | 4.2 |
| Aspire Benjamin Holt Middle Oakland, CA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Monroe Middle
What grades does James Monroe Middle serve?
James Monroe Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend James Monroe Middle?
James Monroe Middle has an enrollment of approximately 542 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Monroe Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at James Monroe Middle is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Monroe Middle rank in CA?
James Monroe Middle ranks #8,255 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is James Monroe Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
James Monroe Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 James Monroe Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Monroe Middle has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is James Monroe Middle a charter school?
No, James Monroe Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Monroe Middle a Title I school?
No, James Monroe Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Monroe Middle?
57.2% of students at James Monroe 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 542
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Kern County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.3%
- Phone
- (760) 499-1830
Resources & Links
District
Sierra Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 5,122
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,168
- District Rank
- #8 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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