Needs Improvement
#9381 of 9,539 schools in CA
Mountain Empire Junior High
Middle School · Mountain Empire Unified
3305 Buckman Springs Rd., Pine Valley, CA 91962
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
27.1:1
Score
2.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
27.1:1
Score
2.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,381 of 9,539
In Pine Valley
#4 of 4
public schools
In district
#7 of 7
Mountain Empire Unified
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Mountain Empire Junior High
Middle School in Pine Valley · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mountain Empire High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Campo Elementary
6.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mountain Empire Junior High
Mountain Empire Junior High is a public middle school in Pine Valley, CA, part of Mountain Empire Unified. Mountain Empire Junior High serves approximately 298 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 27.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Mountain Empire Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #9,381 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Mountain Empire Junior High show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024).
- This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Mountain Empire Junior High runs 27.1:1 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.
Mountain Empire Junior High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mountain Empire Junior High — Students at Mountain Empire Junior High score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 26 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: 2.0/10.
How Mountain Empire Junior High Compares
See how Mountain Empire Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
3305 Buckman Springs Rd., Pine Valley, CA 91962
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mountain Empire Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Los Coches Creek Middle (rated 6.0/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby El Cajon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Joan MacQueen Middle (rated 5.2/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Alpine), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pine Valley, see our Pine Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Empire High Pine Valley | 0.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Campo Elementary Campo | 6.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Sunrise High (Continuation) Pine Valley | 6.3 mi | — |
| Hillside Junior/Senior High Pine Valley | 6.3 mi | 5.9 |
| JCS - Pine Valley Pine Valley | 6.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Risen K=12 Campo | 8.3 mi | — |
| Potrero Elementary Potrero | 11.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Descanso Elementary Descanso | 11.1 mi | 6.3 |
| HIGHLEVEL LLC San Diego | 12.5 mi | — |
| Clover Flat Elementary Boulevard | 12.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Tecate Christian Tecate | 13.4 mi | — |
| The Heights Charter Alpine | 16.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Joan MacQueen Middle Alpine | 17.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Boulder Oaks Elementary Alpine | 17.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Alpine Farm Academy Alpine | 18.0 mi | — |
| Mountain View Learning Academy Alpine | 20.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Shadow Hills Elementary Alpine | 20.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Creekside Early Learning Center Alpine | 20.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Los Coches Creek Middle El Cajon | 20.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Julian High Julian | 24.5 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91962 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$140,270
Median Home Value
$496,800
Median Rent
$2,222/mo
Population
2,457
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
92.6%
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
57.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Barstow STEM Academy Barstow, CA | 2.9 |
| Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta, CA | 3.0 |
| Arcade Fundamental Middle Sacramento, CA | 3.1 |
| Sam Brannan Middle Sacramento, CA | 3.1 |
| Baechtel Grove Middle Willits, CA | 3.5 |
| Lakeview Middle Watsonville, CA | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mountain Empire Junior High
What grades does Mountain Empire Junior High serve?
Mountain Empire Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Mountain Empire Junior High?
Mountain Empire Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 298 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mountain Empire Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Mountain Empire Junior High is 27.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mountain Empire Junior High rank in CA?
Mountain Empire Junior High ranks #9,381 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Mountain Empire Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Mountain Empire Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 Mountain Empire Junior High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mountain Empire Junior High has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024).
Is Mountain Empire Junior High a charter school?
No, Mountain Empire Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mountain Empire Junior High a Title I school?
No, Mountain Empire Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mountain Empire Junior High?
62.8% of students at Mountain Empire Junior High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 298
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.1%
- Phone
- (619) 326-6662
Resources & Links
District
Mountain Empire Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,871
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,531
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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