Average
#4904 of 9,533 schools in CA
La Contenta Middle
Middle School · Morongo Unified
PO Box 1209, Twenty Nine Palms, CA 92277
Enrollment
645
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
645
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California middle schools
#716 of 1,349
In district
#6 of 16
Morongo Unified
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About La Contenta Middle
La Contenta Middle is a regular public middle school in Twenty Nine Palms, California, catering to students in grades seven and eight. With an enrollment of 645 students, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1, ensuring each student receives attention from its team of 35 full-time teachers. Located in a rural setting near the town, La Contenta Middle provides a warm community atmosphere where students can thrive.
The academic performance at La Contenta Middle is currently rated at 4.5 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 6201st out of 9566 schools statewide in California, placing it in the 35th percentile. Students are showing proficiency rates of 33% in ELA/Reading and 17% in Math, indicating areas for improvement but also opportunities for growth. La Contenta Middle is situated in a rural area that offers a close-knit community feel, making it a unique place for middle schoolers to explore their educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, La Contenta Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
La Contenta Middle — Students at La Contenta Middle score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.9%
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
↓ 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: 6.4/10.
How La Contenta Middle Compares
See how La Contenta Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17.49% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 33.39% (2024).
Location
PO Box 1209, Twenty Nine Palms, CA 92277
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering La Contenta Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Painted Hills Middle (rated 6.5/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Desert Hot Springs), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Desert Springs Middle (rated 5.1/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Desert Hot Springs), a more accessible option. For more schools in Twenty Nine Palms, see our Twenty Nine Palms schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Black Rock Alternative/Continuation Twentynine Palms | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Onaga Elementary Twentynine Palms | 1.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Friendly Hills Elementary Twentynine Palms | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Kuhlman Academy Yucca Valley | 2.5 mi | — |
| Joshua Springs Academy Yucca Valley | 3.0 mi | — |
| CUSTODIO HOME ACADEMY Yucca Valley | 2.9 mi | — |
| Yucca Valley High Twentynine Palms | 3.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Yucca Mesa Elementary Twentynine Palms | 4.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Joshua Tree Elementary Twentynine Palms | 4.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Yucca Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Landers Elementary Twentynine Palms | 10.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 13.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 12.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Painted Hills Middle Desert Hot Springs | 12.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 13.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs | 13.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs | 14.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 14.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Morongo Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms | 13.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 14.6 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92277 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,515
Median Home Value
$224,300
Median Rent
$1,267/mo
Population
27,742
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
42.4%
Avg Commute
18.9 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
27.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding La Contenta Middle has a median household income of $55,515. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,300, with a median rent of $1,267/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Alice C. Stelle Middle Calabasas, CA | 6.3 |
| Anacapa Middle Ventura, CA | 6.3 |
| Aspire Centennial College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA | 6.3 |
| Atascadero Middle Atascadero, CA | 6.3 |
| Carmenita Middle Cerritos, CA | 6.3 |
| Century Community Charter Inglewood, CA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about La Contenta Middle
What grades does La Contenta Middle serve?
La Contenta Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend La Contenta Middle?
La Contenta Middle has an enrollment of approximately 645 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at La Contenta Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at La Contenta Middle is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does La Contenta Middle rank in CA?
La Contenta Middle is ranked #4904 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is La Contenta Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
La Contenta Middle has a composite rating of 6.3 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 La Contenta Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Contenta Middle has 17.0% math proficiency and 33.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is La Contenta Middle a charter school?
No, La Contenta Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is La Contenta Middle a Title I school?
No, La Contenta Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Contenta Middle?
71.9% of students at La Contenta 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
- County Safety
- Low (231/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 645
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- San Bernardino County
- Phone
- (760) 228-1802
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Morongo Unified- District Enrollment
- 7,359
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,247
- District Rank
- #6 of 16
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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