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#5057 of 9,539 schools in CA

James Rutter Middle

Middle School · Elk Grove Unified

7350 Palmer House Dr., Sacramento, CA 95828

Enrollment

845

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

6.2

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,057 of 9,539

In Sacramento

#61 of 198

public schools

In district

#36 of 67

Elk Grove Unified

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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James Rutter Middle

6.2/10

Middle School in Sacramento · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

David Reese Elementary

4.9/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Samuel Kennedy Elementary

5.6/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About James Rutter Middle

James Rutter Middle is a public middle school in Sacramento, CA, part of Elk Grove Unified. James Rutter Middle serves approximately 845 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. James Rutter Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #5,057 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for James Rutter Middle show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at James Rutter Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

34% of students at James Rutter 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 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-17 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.1 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,966
Chronic Absenteeism34.2%

James Rutter Middle — Students at James Rutter Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 21.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 30.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
36%
ELA
39%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
38%
2011
Math
35%
ELA
40%
2012
Math
28%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
29%
2024
Math
16.9%
ELA
26.2%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How James Rutter Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in CA
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Camellia Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is AL ARGAM ISLAMIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE PREPARATORY (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Anna Kirchgater Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 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 4.9
Samuel Kennedy Elementary Sacramento 0.5 mi 5.6
Florin Elementary Sacramento 0.6 mi 5.2
Mustard Seed Sacramento 0.7 mi
Nathaniel S. Colley Sr. High Sacramento 0.9 mi 3.3
Homeo-Balance Academy Sacramento 0.9 mi
Camellia Elementary Sacramento 1.2 mi 7.9
Fortune Sacramento 1.1 mi 5.6
Daylor (William) High (Continuation) Sacramento 1.0 mi 4.2
Las Flores High (Alternative) Sacramento 1.0 mi 6.1
Al-Arqam Islamic School & College Preparatory Sacramento 1.4 mi
AL ARGAM ISLAMIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE PREPARATORY Sacramento 1.4 mi 7.4
Elder Creek Elementary Sacramento 1.7 mi 5.6
Anna Kirchgater Elementary Sacramento 1.8 mi 6.7
Rio Cazadero High (Continuation) Sacramento 1.7 mi 5.7
Herman Leimbach Elementary Sacramento 2.0 mi 4.5
Will C. Wood Middle Sacramento 2.0 mi 6.0
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 5.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Amelia Earhart Middle Riverside, CA 6.2
Bonita Vista Middle Chula Vista, CA 6.2
Colina Middle Thousand Oaks, CA 6.2
Emerson Middle Pomona, CA 6.2
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High Davis, CA 6.2
Kerman Middle Kerman, CA 6.2

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 ranks #5,057 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is James Rutter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

James Rutter Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Rutter Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James Rutter Middle has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

District

Elk Grove Unified
District Enrollment
62,603
Schools in District
67
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,966
District Rank
#36 of 67

How we rate schools

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