Average
#4113 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 43% in state
Jessie Nelson Academy
Middle School · Long Beach Unified
1951 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755
Enrollment
818
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
818
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#4,113 of 9,539
In Signal Hill
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#37 of 82
Long Beach Unified
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Jessie Nelson Academy?
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Jessie Nelson Academy
Middle School in Signal Hill · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Alvarado Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Robinson Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Jessie Nelson Academy
Jessie Nelson Academy is a public middle school in Signal Hill, CA, part of Long Beach Unified. Jessie Nelson Academy serves approximately 818 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Jessie Nelson Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #4,113 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Jessie Nelson Academy show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.7 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Jessie Nelson Academy runs 22.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Jessie Nelson Academy — Students at Jessie Nelson Academy score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 34 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: 8.4/10.
How Jessie Nelson Academy Compares
See how Jessie Nelson Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1951 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jessie Nelson Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lincoln Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Long Beach), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Clear Passage Educational Center (rated 7.2/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Long Beach), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Polytechnic High (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Long Beach), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Signal Hill, see our Signal Hill schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Alvarado Elementary Signal Hill | 0.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Robinson Academy Long Beach | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Whittier Elementary Long Beach | 0.3 mi | 3.1 |
| Signal Hill Elementary Signal Hill | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| HUNTINGTON ACADEMY Long Beach | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| New Hope Academy of Change Long Beach | 0.5 mi | — |
| The Muse Academy Long Beach | 0.8 mi | — |
| Olivia Nieto Herrera Elementary Long Beach | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary Long Beach | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Clear Passage Educational Center Long Beach | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Polytechnic High Long Beach | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Richard D. Browning High Long Beach | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Bobbie Smith Elementary Long Beach | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Long Beach | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| OAKTREE PRESCHOOL Long Beach | 1.1 mi | — |
| Oaktree Preschool and Kindergarten Long Beach | 1.1 mi | — |
| Willard Elementary Long Beach | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Westerly School of Long Beach Long Beach | 1.3 mi | — |
| WESTERLY SCHOOL OF LONG BEACH Long Beach | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Burbank Elementary Long Beach | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90755 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$102,684
Median Home Value
$730,200
Median Rent
$1,817/mo
Population
11,654
College Educated
38.3%
Homeownership
52.1%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
9%
Median Age
41.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Berendo Middle Los Angeles, CA | 6.7 |
| Charles W. Tewinkle Middle Costa Mesa, CA | 6.7 |
| Charlotte Wood Middle Danville, CA | 6.7 |
| Cucamonga Middle Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 6.7 |
| Del Dios Academy of Arts and Sciences Escondido, CA | 6.7 |
| Heber Heber, CA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jessie Nelson Academy
What grades does Jessie Nelson Academy serve?
Jessie Nelson Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Jessie Nelson Academy?
Jessie Nelson Academy has an enrollment of approximately 818 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jessie Nelson Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Jessie Nelson Academy is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jessie Nelson Academy rank in CA?
Jessie Nelson Academy ranks #4,113 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Jessie Nelson Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Jessie Nelson Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Jessie Nelson Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Jessie Nelson Academy has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Jessie Nelson Academy a charter school?
No, Jessie Nelson Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jessie Nelson Academy a Title I school?
No, Jessie Nelson Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jessie Nelson Academy?
79.1% of students at Jessie Nelson Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 818
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.3%
- Phone
- (562) 591-6041
Resources & Links
District
Long Beach Unified- District Enrollment
- 63,966
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,539
- District Rank
- #37 of 82
How we rate schools
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