Skip to main content

Very Good

#3160 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 33% in state

La Paz Middle

Middle School · Salinas Union High

1300 North Sanborn Rd., Salinas, CA 93905

Enrollment

1,160

Student-Teacher

20.4:1

Score

7.2

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,160 of 9,539

In Salinas

#11 of 60

public schools

In district

#4 of 12

Salinas Union High

School environment

8.8 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around La Paz Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

La Paz Middle

7.2/10

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

Cesar E. Chavez Elementary

7.0/10

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

Frank Paul Elementary

5.4/10

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

About La Paz Middle

La Paz Middle is a public middle school in Salinas, CA, part of Salinas Union High. La Paz Middle serves approximately 1,160 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio. La Paz Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #3,160 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for La Paz Middle show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

La Paz Middle runs 20.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-18.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.8 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,435
Chronic Absenteeism15.3%

La Paz Middle — Students at La Paz Middle score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 35.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 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
34%
ELA
29%
2010
Math
30%
ELA
35%
2011
Math
33%
ELA
40%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
36%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
21%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
31%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
14.9%
ELA
40.1%
2024
Math
15.4%
ELA
32.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.5/10.

How La Paz Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
67th percentile in CA
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.3%

Location

1300 North Sanborn Rd., Salinas, CA 93905

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Paz Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. El Sausal Middle (rated 8.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Alisal Community (rated 7.4/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Salinas, see our Salinas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Salinas 0.2 mi 7.0
Frank Paul Elementary Salinas 0.3 mi 5.4
Alisal High Salinas 0.4 mi 7.1
Alisal Community Salinas 0.6 mi 7.4
Dr. Oscar F. Loya Elementary Salinas 0.5 mi 4.9
Monte Bella Elementary Salinas 0.8 mi 6.9
Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary Salinas 0.7 mi 7.5
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy Salinas 0.7 mi 6.3
Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary Salinas 0.9 mi 6.5
Creekside Elementary Salinas 1.1 mi 4.9
Alisal Virtual Academy Salinas 1.1 mi 4.1
Bardin Elementary Salinas 1.2 mi 5.1
Fremont Elementary Salinas 1.3 mi 4.7
John E. Steinbeck Elementary Salinas 1.4 mi 4.5
Everett Alvarez High Salinas 1.6 mi 6.3
El Sausal Middle Salinas 1.6 mi 8.0
Loma Vista Elementary Salinas 1.6 mi 5.9
Los Padres Elementary Salinas 1.7 mi 5.7
Salinas Community Salinas 1.8 mi 4.2
Wellington M. Smith Jr. Salinas 1.7 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93905 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,716

Median Home Value

$570,000

Median Rent

$1,799/mo

Population

64,596

College Educated

6.6%

Homeownership

41.7%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

19.7%

Median Age

28.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arrowview Middle San Bernardino, CA 7.2
Cesar E. Chavez Middle San Bernardino, CA 7.2
Diegueno Middle Encinitas, CA 7.2
Douglass Middle Woodland, CA 7.2
Ernest Lawrence Middle Chatsworth, CA 7.2
Foothill Middle Walnut Creek, CA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Paz Middle

What grades does La Paz Middle serve?

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

How many students attend La Paz Middle?

La Paz Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,160 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at La Paz Middle is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Paz Middle rank in CA?

La Paz Middle ranks #3,160 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is La Paz Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

La Paz Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 La Paz Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, La Paz Middle has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is La Paz Middle a charter school?

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

Is La Paz Middle a Title I school?

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

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

97.5% of students at La Paz 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
52 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,160
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Monterey County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.3%

District

Salinas Union High
District Enrollment
16,225
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,435
District Rank
#4 of 12

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.