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Average

#3595 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 38% in state

La Paz Intermediate

Middle School · Saddleback Valley Unified

25151 Pradera Dr., Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Enrollment

707

Student-Teacher

22.8:1

Score

6.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mission Viejo

#16 of 21

public schools

California middle schools

#509 of 1,349

In district

#14 of 33

Saddleback Valley Unified

Equity

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About La Paz Intermediate

La Paz Intermediate serves 707 students in grades 7 and 8 in Mission Viejo, earning recognition as one of California's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking in the 85th percentile statewide (#1401 out of 9566 schools), the school demonstrates strong academic achievement across its student body. The school's academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with 68% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 58% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

These results reflect the school's commitment to educational excellence, supported by 31 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 22.8 to 1. La Paz Intermediate operates as a regular public school in Orange County, serving families in an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $134,070 and 47% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The low poverty rate of just 5.2% in the surrounding 92691 ZIP code indicates a stable, well-resourced community environment.

Located on Pradera Drive in Mission Viejo's large suburban setting, La Paz Intermediate sits within one of Orange County's most desirable residential areas, where median home values of $867,600 reflect the community's investment in quality education and family-oriented living.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at La Paz Intermediate is 22.8:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.6%
Math vs. State Avg+24 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.3 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,753

La Paz Intermediate — Students at La Paz Intermediate score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 58.4%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 69.3%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
60%
ELA
74%
2024
Math
57.8%
ELA
67.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How La Paz Intermediate Compares

See how La Paz Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in CA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

25151 Pradera Dr., Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Paz Intermediate may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Fred Newhart Middle (rated 8.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Castille Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Linda Vista Magnet Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mission Viejo, see our Mission Viejo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Esperanza Education Center Mission Viejo 0.1 mi 7.8
Sonrisa School Mission Viejo 0.2 mi
Linda Vista Magnet Elementary Mission Viejo 0.2 mi 8.2
Mission Viejo High Mission Viejo 0.2 mi 7.6
MISSION VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mission Viejo 0.5 mi 4.3
MISSION VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mission Viejo 0.5 mi 5.4
Robert H. Lange Preschool Mission Viejo 0.5 mi
De Portola Elementary Mission Viejo 0.6 mi 7.0
Wolf valley of the arts Mission Viejo 0.9 mi
SVUSD Virtual Academy (Alternative) Mission Viejo 1.0 mi 6.0
Valencia Elementary Laguna Hills 0.9 mi 6.8
Montevideo Elementary Mission Viejo 1.1 mi 6.4
Fred Newhart Middle Mission Viejo 0.9 mi 8.7
Del Cerro Elementary Mission Viejo 1.0 mi 8.0
Castille Elementary Mission Viejo 1.3 mi 8.7
GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT ALICIA Laguna Hills 1.3 mi
GUIDEPOST AT LAS FLORES Laguna Hills 1.3 mi 7.5
FUSION ALISA VIEJO Aliso Viejo 1.3 mi 6.0
Viejo Elementary Mission Viejo 1.7 mi 7.6
Pillars Academy Mission Viejo 1.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92691 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$135,779

Median Home Value

$916,800

Median Rent

$2,517/mo

Population

46,618

College Educated

46.5%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

4.7%

Median Age

44.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding La Paz Intermediate has a median household income of $135,779. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $916,800, with a median rent of $2,517/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Abbott Middle San Mateo, CA 6.9
Bear River Wheatland, CA 6.9
Ben F. Kolb Middle Rialto, CA 6.9
Daniel Webster Middle Los Angeles, CA 6.9
Diablo Vista Middle Danville, CA 6.9
Dr. Julian Nava Learning Academy Los Angeles, CA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Paz Intermediate

What grades does La Paz Intermediate serve?

La Paz Intermediate serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend La Paz Intermediate?

La Paz Intermediate has an enrollment of approximately 707 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Paz Intermediate?

The student-teacher ratio at La Paz Intermediate is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Paz Intermediate rank in CA?

La Paz Intermediate is ranked #3595 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is La Paz Intermediate's MySchoolScout rating?

La Paz Intermediate has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Paz Intermediate?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Paz Intermediate has 58.4% math proficiency and 69.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is La Paz Intermediate a charter school?

No, La Paz Intermediate is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is La Paz Intermediate a Title I school?

No, La Paz Intermediate is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Paz Intermediate?

41.7% of students at La Paz Intermediate 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,290/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mission Viejo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
707
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Saddleback Valley Unified
District Enrollment
23,199
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,539
District Rank
#14 of 33

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 methodology

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