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
Enrollment
645
Student-Teacher
26.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Jefferson Middle — Students at Jefferson Middle score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.4%
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.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 60.31% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 70.74% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (310) 533-4794
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Torrance Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,109
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,134
- District Rank
- #20 of 30
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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