Below Average
#7816 of 9,533 schools in CA
Madison Middle
Middle School · Vista Unified
1234 Arcadia Ave., Vista, CA 92084
Enrollment
1,010
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,010
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Vista
#26 of 34
public schools
California middle schools
#1,169 of 1,349
In district
#20 of 27
Vista Unified
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Madison Middle
Madison Middle serves 1,010 students in grades 6-8 in Vista, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1 and 49 full-time equivalent teachers. This public middle school operates in San Diego County's large suburban setting, providing education for a sizable student body in the heart of the Vista community. Academically, Madison Middle has room for growth, with 32% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and 22% achieving proficiency in mathematics.
The school ranks in the 30th percentile among California middle schools, indicating opportunities for continued improvement in student achievement. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10, the school is focusing on strengthening its academic programs to better serve its diverse student population. The school draws from the 92084 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $94,768 and median home values of $689,500.
The community shows economic stability with a relatively low poverty rate of 9.3%, though 28% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Madison Middle sits within this established suburban neighborhood in Vista, serving families who have chosen to make their home in this San Diego County community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Madison Middle is 20.6:1, 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
Madison Middle — Students at Madison Middle score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59%
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: 3.8/10.
How Madison Middle Compares
See how Madison Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22.53% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 32.12% (2024).
Location
1234 Arcadia Ave., Vista, CA 92084
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Madison Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Calavera Hills Middle (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Carlsbad), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vista Innovation and Design Academy (rated 5.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Vista, see our Vista schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Elementary Vista | 0.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Breeze Hill Elementary Vista | 0.8 mi | 4.1 |
| BIG TREE LITTLE PRESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN Vista | 0.9 mi | — |
| Big Tree Little Preschool Kindergarten Vista | 0.9 mi | — |
| Rancho Buena Vista High Vista | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| STARS MONTESSORI ACADEMY Vista | 1.0 mi | — |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Vista | 1.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Major General Raymond Murray High Vista | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Bella Mente Montessori Academy Vista | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| VISTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Vista | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Tri-City Christian Schools Vista | 1.7 mi | — |
| TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Vista | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Vista Innovation and Design Academy Vista | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Grapevine Elementary Vista | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Casita Center for Science/Math/Technology Vista | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Sage Creek High Carlsbad | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Calavera Hills Middle Carlsbad | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Calavera Hills Elementary Carlsbad | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Audeo Charter II San Diego | 2.0 mi | 2.9 |
| California Avenue Elementary Vista | 2.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92084 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,410
Median Home Value
$745,800
Median Rent
$1,936/mo
Population
49,533
College Educated
27.1%
Homeownership
57.6%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Madison Middle has a median household income of $97,410. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $745,800, with a median rent of $1,936/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| El Camino Junior High Santa Maria, CA | 4.9 |
| Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Merced, CA | 4.9 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced, CA | 4.9 |
| John Muir Middle Burbank, CA | 4.9 |
| Livingston Middle Livingston, CA | 4.9 |
| Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced, CA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Madison Middle
What grades does Madison Middle serve?
Madison Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Madison Middle?
Madison Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,010 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Madison Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Madison Middle is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Madison Middle rank in CA?
Madison Middle is ranked #7816 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Madison Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Madison Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Madison Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Madison Middle has 22.0% math proficiency and 31.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Madison Middle a charter school?
No, Madison Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Madison Middle a Title I school?
No, Madison Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Madison Middle?
59.0% of students at Madison 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
- Walk Score
- 43 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 27 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 34 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,187/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Vista). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,010
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (760) 940-0176
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Vista Unified- District Enrollment
- 18,469
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,647
- District Rank
- #20 of 27
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.