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Average

#4273 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 45% in state

Jefferson Middle

Middle School · Torrance Unified

21717 Talisman St., Torrance, CA 90503

Enrollment

645

Student-Teacher

26.9:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Torrance

#21 of 33

public schools

California middle schools

#609 of 1,349

In district

#20 of 30

Torrance Unified

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Jefferson Middle

Jefferson Middle serves 645 students in grades 6-8 in Torrance, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 26.9:1 and 24 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #2141 out of 9566 California schools. Students show strong achievement across core subjects, with 71% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 60% reach proficiency in Mathematics.

The school's academic score of 8.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence and student success. Located on Talisman Street, Jefferson Middle sits within the 90503 ZIP code area, a well-established community where the median household income reaches $117,364 and 55% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 5.8%, with median home values of $991,400, indicating a stable, educated community that values academic achievement.

Jefferson Middle operates in Torrance's mid-size city environment, providing students with the benefits of suburban living while maintaining access to the broader educational and cultural opportunities of Los Angeles County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Middle is 26.9:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.7%
Math vs. State Avg+25.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+24.8 pts
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,277

Jefferson Middle — Students at Jefferson Middle score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 60.7%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 71.2%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
73%
2024
Math
60.3%
ELA
70.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.

How Jefferson Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
55th percentile in CA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

21717 Talisman St., Torrance, CA 90503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Calle Mayor Middle (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bert M. Lynn Middle (rated 6.6/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Madrona Middle (rated 6.0/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Torrance, see our Torrance schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Anza Elementary Torrance 0.5 mi 6.3
Joseph Arnold Elementary Torrance 0.7 mi 7.9
Fresh Roots Forest School Torrance 0.7 mi
St. James Elementary Torrance 0.8 mi
ST JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Torrance 0.9 mi 6.5
HICKORY TREE SCHOOL Torrance 0.8 mi 5.9
Hickory Tree School Torrance 0.8 mi
Seaside Elementary Torrance 0.9 mi 5.3
Madrona Middle Torrance 0.8 mi 6.0
Mr. J's Academy Torrance 0.9 mi
Victor Elementary Torrance 1.0 mi 6.7
Bishop Montgomery High Torrance 0.9 mi
BISHOP MONTGOMERY HIGH Torrance 0.9 mi 5.5
SOUTH BAY JUNIOR ACADEMY Torrance 1.1 mi 7.0
THE KNOWING GARDEN Redondo Beach 1.0 mi
Calle Mayor Middle Torrance 1.2 mi 7.5
West High Torrance 1.2 mi 6.7
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Torrance 1.1 mi 6.5
First Lutheran Torrance 1.1 mi
Bert M. Lynn Middle Torrance 1.3 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$119,685

Median Home Value

$1,058,100

Median Rent

$2,249/mo

Population

43,764

College Educated

55.4%

Homeownership

52.5%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson Middle has a median household income of $119,685. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,058,100, with a median rent of $2,249/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
August Boeger Middle San Jose, CA 6.6
Bert M. Lynn Middle Torrance, CA 6.6
Camerado Springs Middle Cameron Park, CA 6.6
Canoga Park Middle Canoga Park, CA 6.6
Central Middle Riverside, CA 6.6
Cesar Chavez Middle Lynwood, CA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson Middle

What grades does Jefferson Middle serve?

Jefferson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Jefferson Middle?

Jefferson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 645 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Middle is 26.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson Middle rank in CA?

Jefferson Middle is ranked #4273 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Jefferson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Middle has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Jefferson Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Middle has 60.7% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jefferson Middle a charter school?

No, Jefferson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jefferson Middle a Title I school?

No, Jefferson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Middle?

28.4% of students at Jefferson 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

City Safety
High (3,096/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Torrance). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
645
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Torrance Unified
District Enrollment
22,109
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,134
District Rank
#20 of 30

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.

Read our full methodology

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