Average
#4592 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 48% in state
James Rutter Middle
Middle School · Elk Grove Unified
7350 Palmer House Dr., Sacramento, CA 95828
Enrollment
845
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
845
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sacramento
#70 of 196
public schools
California middle schools
#660 of 1,349
In district
#34 of 67
Elk Grove Unified
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About James Rutter Middle
James Rutter Middle serves grades seven and eight in Sacramento's suburban area, enrolling 845 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.8:1. The school has 45 full-time equivalent teachers supporting its student body. Academically, James Rutter is working toward strengthening its performance.
Currently, 28% of students demonstrate proficiency or above in English language arts, while 17% meet proficiency standards in math. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10, the school ranks in the lower third of California schools (#6285 out of 9566), indicating significant room for academic growth across both core subjects. These scores reflect areas where the school is focusing its efforts to support student development and achievement.
Located on Palmer House Drive in a large suburban setting within Sacramento County, James Rutter serves its local community with accessible facilities and a typical middle school schedule for early adolescent learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at James Rutter 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James Rutter Middle — Students at James Rutter Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 7.5/10.
How James Rutter Middle Compares
See how James Rutter Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 16.88% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 26.18% (2024).
Location
7350 Palmer House Dr., Sacramento, CA 95828
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Rutter Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. AL ARGAM ISLAMIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE PREPARATORY (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Anna Kirchgater Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Will C. Wood Middle (rated 7.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sacramento, see our Sacramento schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| David Reese Elementary Sacramento | 0.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Samuel Kennedy Elementary Sacramento | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Florin Elementary Sacramento | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Mustard Seed Sacramento | 0.7 mi | — |
| Nathaniel S. Colley Sr. High Sacramento | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Homeo-Balance Academy Sacramento | 0.9 mi | — |
| Camellia Elementary Sacramento | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Fortune Sacramento | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Daylor (William) High (Continuation) Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Las Flores High (Alternative) Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Al-Arqam Islamic School & College Preparatory Sacramento | 1.4 mi | — |
| AL ARGAM ISLAMIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE PREPARATORY Sacramento | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Elder Creek Elementary Sacramento | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Anna Kirchgater Elementary Sacramento | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Rio Cazadero High (Continuation) Sacramento | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Herman Leimbach Elementary Sacramento | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Will C. Wood Middle Sacramento | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Northern California Preparatory Sacramento | 1.9 mi | — |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO SCHOOL Sacramento | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Charles E. Mack Elementary Sacramento | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95828 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,524
Median Home Value
$377,300
Median Rent
$1,709/mo
Population
60,532
College Educated
17.2%
Homeownership
65.3%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Median Age
36.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Rutter Middle has a median household income of $77,524. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $377,300, with a median rent of $1,709/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Arrowview Middle San Bernardino, CA | 6.4 |
| Bear Valley Middle Escondido, CA | 6.4 |
| Casimir Middle Torrance, CA | 6.4 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle San Bernardino, CA | 6.4 |
| Compton Junior High Bakersfield, CA | 6.4 |
| Corvallis Middle Norwalk, CA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Rutter Middle
What grades does James Rutter Middle serve?
James Rutter Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend James Rutter Middle?
James Rutter Middle has an enrollment of approximately 845 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Rutter Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at James Rutter Middle is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Rutter Middle rank in CA?
James Rutter Middle is ranked #4592 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is James Rutter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
James Rutter Middle has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Rutter Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Rutter Middle has 17.4% math proficiency and 27.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Rutter Middle a charter school?
No, James Rutter Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Rutter Middle a Title I school?
No, James Rutter Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Rutter Middle?
79.6% of students at James Rutter 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 (3,332/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sacramento). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 845
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Sacramento County
- Phone
- (916) 422-7590
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Elk Grove Unified- District Enrollment
- 62,603
- Schools in District
- 67
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,966
- District Rank
- #34 of 67
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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