La Paz Middle

La Paz Middle serves 1,160 students in grades 7-8 in Salinas, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1 and 57 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public middle school is working to support student achievement, with room for academic growth as reflected in its current test scores where 33% of students perform proficiently in English Language Arts and 15% in mathematics. The school operates within Monterey County's mid-size city environment, serving a diverse community where the median household income is $68,795.

The surrounding 93905 zip code area houses over 63,000 residents, with median home values at $513,300. The community faces educational challenges, as only 6% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and nearly one in five families experiences poverty. Despite these demographic hurdles, La Paz Middle continues its mission to educate nearly 1,200 middle schoolers during these crucial transitional years between elementary and high school.

The school's substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger middle schools in the region, providing opportunities for diverse programming and peer interaction. La Paz Middle sits in the heart of Salinas, a community known for its agricultural heritage in California's Central Coast region.

The student-teacher ratio at La Paz Middle is 20.4:1, 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.