Average
#6817 of 9,533 schools in CA
Laton Middle
Middle School · Laton Joint Unified
PO Box 7, Laton, CA 93242
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Laton
#2 of 3
public schools
California middle schools
#1,021 of 1,349
In district
#2 of 3
Laton Joint Unified
About Laton Middle
Laton Middle, located in the rural area near Laton, California, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 168 students and seven full-time equivalent teachers, the student-to-teacher ratio at Laton Middle stands at 24:1, offering a somewhat personalized learning environment despite the challenges it faces. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.5 out of 10, reflecting its current academic standing in the state ranking as #7809 out of 9566 schools, placing it around the 18th percentile statewide.
Students perform at a basic level in both English Language Arts and Math; 24% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 17% meet these standards in Math. Laton Middle is situated in a close-knit rural community where the school plays an integral role in supporting local youth development. Despite its lower academic scores, Laton Middle continues to focus on student growth and engagement within its unique setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 168 students, Laton Middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Laton Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Laton Middle is 24:1, 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
Laton Middle — Students at Laton Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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 Laton Middle Compares
See how Laton Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17.61% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 25.63% (2024).
Location
PO Box 7, Laton, CA 93242
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Laton Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Woodrow Wilson Junior High (rated 6.7/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Hanford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pioneer Middle (rated 5.6/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Hanford), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Laton, see our Laton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Laton Elementary Laton | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Laton Online Academy Laton | 0.3 mi | — |
| Laton High Laton | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Kings River-Hardwick Elementary Hanford | 3.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Pioneer Middle Hanford | 4.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Golden Grain Academy Hanford | 5.6 mi | — |
| Frontier Elementary Hanford | 6.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Pioneer Elementary Hanford | 6.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Joseph M. Simas Hanford | 6.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Monroe Elementary Hanford | 5.9 mi | 8.2 |
| New Testament Baptist Schools Hanford | 6.3 mi | — |
| George Washington Elementary Hanford | 6.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Sierra Pacific High Hanford | 6.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Hanford Community Day Hanford | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Hanford High Hanford | 6.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Jefferson Academy Hanford | 6.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Hanford Online Charter Hanford | 6.9 mi | 5.5 |
| J. C. Montgomery Hanford | 7.0 mi | — |
| Woodrow Wilson Junior High Hanford | 7.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Earl F. Johnson High (Continuation) Hanford | 6.9 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93242 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,250
Median Home Value
$347,400
Median Rent
$1,130/mo
Population
2,611
College Educated
14.5%
Homeownership
62.5%
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
32.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Laton Middle has a median household income of $61,250. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,400, with a median rent of $1,130/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Barbara Spratling Middle Hughson, CA | 5.4 |
| El Tejon Elementary Lebec, CA | 5.4 |
| Scott Valley Junior High Fort Jones, CA | 5.4 |
| Garvey/Allen Visual & Performing Arts Academy for STEM Moreno Valley, CA | 5.5 |
| Valiente College Preparatory Charter South Gate, CA | 5.3 |
| Mammoth Middle Mammoth Lakes, CA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Laton Middle
What grades does Laton Middle serve?
Laton Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Laton Middle?
Laton Middle has an enrollment of approximately 168 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Laton Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Laton Middle is 24:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Laton Middle rank in CA?
Laton Middle is ranked #6817 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Laton Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Laton Middle has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Laton Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laton Middle has 16.5% math proficiency and 24.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Laton Middle a charter school?
No, Laton Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Laton Middle a Title I school?
No, Laton Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laton Middle?
75.6% of students at Laton 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
- Average (398/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 168
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Fresno County
- Phone
- (559) 922-4030
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Laton Joint Unified- District Enrollment
- 597
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,922
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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