Below Average
#8687 of 9,533 schools in CA
Jessie Nelson Academy
Middle School · Long Beach Unified
1951 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755
Enrollment
818
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
818
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Signal Hill
#3 of 3
public schools
California middle schools
#1,266 of 1,349
In district
#71 of 82
Long Beach Unified
About Jessie Nelson Academy
Jessie Nelson Academy is a public middle school serving grades six through eight in Signal Hill, California. The school enrolls 818 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1 and 36 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, the school is working to strengthen student performance.
Currently, 35% of students demonstrate proficiency or above in English language arts, while 24% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and a state ranking in the 18th percentile, Jessie Nelson Academy has room for academic growth and is focused on student development across core subjects. Located in a large suburban area of Signal Hill, the school serves the local community with middle-grade education and serves as a neighborhood institution for families in the region.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Jessie Nelson Academy is 22.7:1, 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
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 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.0/10.
How Jessie Nelson Academy Compares
See how Jessie Nelson Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 19.48% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32.9% (2024).
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. Alvarado Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clear Passage Educational Center (rated 7.7/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Long Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WESTERLY SCHOOL OF LONG BEACH (rated 6.6/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Long Beach), which scores notably higher. 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 | 8.1 |
| Robinson Academy Long Beach | 0.3 mi | 2.9 |
| Whittier Elementary Long Beach | 0.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Signal Hill Elementary Signal Hill | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| 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 | 3.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary Long Beach | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Clear Passage Educational Center Long Beach | 0.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Polytechnic High Long Beach | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Richard D. Browning High Long Beach | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Bobbie Smith Elementary Long Beach | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Long Beach | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| OAKTREE PRESCHOOL Long Beach | 1.1 mi | — |
| Oaktree Preschool and Kindergarten Long Beach | 1.1 mi | — |
| Willard Elementary Long Beach | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Westerly School of Long Beach Long Beach | 1.3 mi | — |
| WESTERLY SCHOOL OF LONG BEACH Long Beach | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Burbank Elementary Long Beach | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jessie Nelson Academy has a median household income of $102,684. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $730,200, with a median rent of $1,817/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Alpine Vista Middle Tulare, CA | 4.2 |
| Challenger Middle Lancaster, CA | 4.2 |
| Martin Murphy Middle San Jose, CA | 4.2 |
| Maywood Middle Corning, CA | 4.2 |
| Quail Valley Middle Phelan, CA | 4.2 |
| Valor Academy Middle Los Angeles, CA | 4.2 |
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 is ranked #8687 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Jessie Nelson Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Jessie Nelson Academy has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Jessie Nelson Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jessie Nelson Academy has 24.3% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (6,894/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Signal Hill). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (562) 591-6041
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Long Beach Unified- District Enrollment
- 63,966
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,539
- District Rank
- #71 of 82
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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