Average
#5860 of 9,533 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
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
542
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ridgecrest
#2 of 10
public schools
California middle schools
#855 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 10
Sierra Sands Unified
About James Monroe Middle
James Monroe Middle is a regular public middle school located in Ridgecrest, California, in the heart of Kern County. Situated at 340 West Church Street, this remote town setting offers a unique environment for students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 542 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1, James Monroe Middle provides personalized attention to each student.
The school has 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the educational needs of its diverse student body. Academically, James Monroe Middle is ranked at #6565 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 31st percentile. Students perform with room for improvement, achieving a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.3/10 and an Academic Score of 3.6/10.
In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 35% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 16% meet proficiency standards. James Monroe Middle is nestled in the heart of Ridgecrest, a remote town that offers its own unique community feel and resources for middle schoolers.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at James Monroe Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at James Monroe Middle is 20.8:1, 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
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 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: 6.9/10.
How James Monroe Middle Compares
See how James Monroe Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 15.51% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 35.45% (2024).
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, Richmond Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.2 |
| Las Flores Elementary Ridgecrest | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| 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 | 4.9 |
| Pierce Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Murray Middle Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Burroughs High Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Gateway Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Richmond Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Faller Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Monroe Middle has a median household income of $84,141. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,400, with a median rent of $1,180/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 Los Angeles, CA | 5.9 |
| Alliance Virgil Roberts Leadership Academy Los Angeles, CA | 5.9 |
| Alta Loma Junior High Alta Loma, CA | 5.9 |
| Edwin Markham Middle Los Angeles, CA | 5.9 |
| Excelsior Middle Byron, CA | 5.9 |
| Fort Bragg Middle Fort Bragg, CA | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #5860 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is James Monroe Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
James Monroe Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Monroe Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Monroe Middle has 16.4% math proficiency and 34.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,757/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ridgecrest). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 499-1830
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sierra Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 5,122
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,168
- District Rank
- #3 of 10
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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