Average
#4745 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 50% in state
Joe Walker Middle
Middle School · Westside Union Elementary
5632 West Ave. L-8, Lancaster, CA 93536
Enrollment
818
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
818
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lancaster
#10 of 47
public schools
California middle schools
#688 of 1,349
In district
#5 of 12
Westside Union Elementary
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Joe Walker Middle
Joe Walker Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in Lancaster, California, with an enrollment of 818 students. As a regular public middle school, it's part of the Los Angeles County school system and sits in a large suburban setting. Academically, the school is working to build student proficiency in core subjects.
In English language arts, 56% of students perform at proficient levels or above, showing relative strength in reading and writing. Mathematics presents an area of focus, with 34% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks at the 52nd percentile among California schools, placing it #4572 out of 9566 statewide.
The school operates with 34 full-time equivalent teachers serving its student population, creating a student-teacher ratio of 24.1 to 1. This structure supports middle grades instruction across sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. Joe Walker Middle is located at 5632 West Ave.
L-8 in the 93536 area and reflects the educational landscape of Lancaster's suburban community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Joe Walker Middle is 24.1:1, 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
Joe Walker Middle — Students at Joe Walker Middle score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.5%
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: 9.1/10.
How Joe Walker Middle Compares
See how Joe Walker Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 23.79% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42.48% (2024).
Location
5632 West Ave. L-8, Lancaster, CA 93536
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joe Walker Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hillview Middle (rated 6.9/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Palmdale), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.1/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Endeavour Middle (rated 4.1/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz Hill High Quartz Hill | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Small Wonders Preschool & Learning Center Quartz Hill | 0.7 mi | — |
| Anapasec Adventures Lancaster | 0.9 mi | — |
| Academies of the Antelope Valley Quartz Hill | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Academy of Divergent Learners Quartz Hill | 1.0 mi | — |
| Quartz Hill Elementary Quartz Hill | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Eduventuring Academy PSP Quartz Hill | 1.3 mi | — |
| Gregg Anderson Academy Palmdale | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| NOAH'S ARK - HOPE CHAPEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Endeavour Middle Lancaster | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Sundown Elementary Lancaster | 2.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Rancho Vista Elementary Palmdale | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Fabunni Private School Lancaster | 2.5 mi | — |
| Hillview Middle Palmdale | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Valley View Elementary Lancaster | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Nancy Cory Elementary Lancaster | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Paraclete High School Lancaster | 2.6 mi | — |
| PARACLETE HIGH SCHOOL Lancaster | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| West Wind Elementary Lancaster | 3.0 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$102,927
Median Home Value
$484,900
Median Rent
$1,946/mo
Population
72,013
College Educated
26.5%
Homeownership
69.3%
Avg Commute
32.7 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joe Walker Middle has a median household income of $102,927. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $484,900, with a median rent of $1,946/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Arrowview Middle San Bernardino, CA | 6.4 |
| Bear Valley Middle Escondido, CA | 6.4 |
| Casimir Middle Torrance, CA | 6.4 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle San Bernardino, CA | 6.4 |
| Compton Junior High Bakersfield, CA | 6.4 |
| Corvallis Middle Norwalk, CA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joe Walker Middle
What grades does Joe Walker Middle serve?
Joe Walker Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Joe Walker Middle?
Joe Walker Middle has an enrollment of approximately 818 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joe Walker Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Joe Walker Middle is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joe Walker Middle rank in CA?
Joe Walker Middle is ranked #4745 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Joe Walker Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Joe Walker Middle has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Joe Walker Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joe Walker Middle has 34.3% math proficiency and 55.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Joe Walker Middle a charter school?
No, Joe Walker Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joe Walker Middle a Title I school?
No, Joe Walker Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joe Walker Middle?
61.5% of students at Joe Walker 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 (2,788/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lancaster). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 818
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (661) 943-3258
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Westside Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 9,138
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,325
- District Rank
- #5 of 12
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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