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
Enrollment
707
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
La Paz Intermediate — Students at La Paz Intermediate score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 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: 6.4/10.
How La Paz Intermediate Compares
See how La Paz Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 57.94% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 67.6% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (949) 830-1720
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Saddleback Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 23,199
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,539
- District Rank
- #14 of 33
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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