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Average

#4277 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 45% in state

Joe Baca

Middle School · Colton Joint Unified

1640 South Lilac Ave., Bloomington, CA 92316

Enrollment

745

Student-Teacher

19.6:1

Score

6.6

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,277 of 9,539

In Bloomington

#3 of 9

public schools

In district

#6 of 27

Colton Joint Unified

School environment

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Joe Baca

6.6/10

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

Ruth Grimes Elementary

8.3/10

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

Samuel W. Simpson Elementary

7.1/10

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

About Joe Baca

Joe Baca is a public middle school in Bloomington, CA, part of Colton Joint Unified. Joe Baca serves approximately 745 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 19.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Joe Baca has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #4,277 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Joe Baca show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Joe Baca 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.

33% of students at Joe Baca 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 Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,938
Chronic Absenteeism32.6%

Joe Baca — Students at Joe Baca score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 32.2% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
21%
ELA
38%
2010
Math
25%
ELA
39%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
40%
2012
Math
28%
ELA
39%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
31%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
21.2%
2024
Math
12.3%
ELA
24.4%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Joe Baca Compares

See how Joe Baca performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
55th percentile in CA
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
8.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.6%

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

1640 South Lilac Ave., Bloomington, CA 92316

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joe Baca may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. William G. Jehue Middle (rated 5.9/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Colton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rialto Middle (rated 5.7/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Rialto), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bloomington, see our Bloomington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Ruth Grimes Elementary Bloomington 0.4 mi 8.3
Samuel W. Simpson Elementary Rialto 0.8 mi 7.1
Slover Mountain High (Continuation) Bloomington 0.9 mi 5.1
Dr. John H. Milor High Continuation Rialto 1.1 mi 5.4
Zupanic Virtual Academy Rialto 1.1 mi 7.9
Gerald A. Smith Elementary Bloomington 1.3 mi 4.5
Sam V. Curtis Elementary Rialto 1.5 mi 6.9
Crestmore Elementary Bloomington 1.7 mi 6.6
Georgia F. Morris Elementary Colton 1.5 mi 5.7
CALVARY CHAPEL RIALTO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rialto 1.7 mi 6.5
J. Calvin Boyd Elementary Rialto 1.7 mi 4.2
Calvary Chapel Rialto Christian School Rialto 1.7 mi
William G. Jehue Middle Colton 1.7 mi 5.9
Walter Zimmerman Elementary Bloomington 1.8 mi 6.1
Maple Elementary Fontana 1.8 mi 5.1
Mary B. Lewis Elementary Bloomington 1.8 mi 5.9
Charlotte N. Werner Elementary Rialto 2.1 mi 3.5
Rialto High Rialto 2.0 mi 6.4
Rialto Middle Rialto 2.2 mi 5.7
Dr. Ernest Garcia Elementary Colton 2.1 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,117

Median Home Value

$448,200

Median Rent

$1,450/mo

Population

31,909

College Educated

10.6%

Homeownership

69.1%

Avg Commute

31.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Age

33.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abbott Middle San Mateo, CA 6.6
Alvarado Intermediate Rowland Heights, CA 6.6
Bancroft Middle Long Beach, CA 6.6
Bell Gardens Intermediate Bell Gardens, CA 6.6
Bernardo Yorba Middle Placentia, CA 6.6
Christa McAuliffe Middle Stockton, CA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joe Baca

What grades does Joe Baca serve?

Joe Baca serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Joe Baca?

Joe Baca has an enrollment of approximately 745 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joe Baca?

The student-teacher ratio at Joe Baca is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joe Baca rank in CA?

Joe Baca ranks #4,277 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Joe Baca's MySchoolScout rating?

Joe Baca has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Joe Baca?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joe Baca has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Joe Baca a charter school?

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

Is Joe Baca a Title I school?

No, Joe Baca is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joe Baca?

89.9% of students at Joe Baca 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
43 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
745
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Bernardino County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.6%

District

Colton Joint Unified
District Enrollment
18,912
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,938
District Rank
#6 of 27

How we rate schools

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