Needs Improvement
#9008 of 9,533 schools in CA
Murray Middle
Middle School · Sierra Sands Unified
200 East Drummond Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Enrollment
686
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
686
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ridgecrest
#9 of 10
public schools
California middle schools
#1,304 of 1,349
In district
#9 of 10
Sierra Sands Unified
About Murray Middle
Murray Middle, located in Ridgecrest, California, is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 686 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.9:1, the school aims to provide a supportive learning environment with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. Murray Middle's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.6 out of 10, indicating room for academic growth, especially in math where only 26% of students are proficient or above and ELA/Reading proficiency is around 39%.
The school ranks 7714th out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 19th percentile statewide. Despite these challenges, Murray Middle focuses on student development and community engagement. Nestled in a remote town, the school plays an integral role in providing educational opportunities to students in Ridgecrest.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Murray Middle is 22.9:1, 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
Murray Middle — Students at Murray Middle score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51%
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: 2.6/10.
How Murray Middle Compares
See how Murray Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 23.16% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 34.82% (2024).
Location
200 East Drummond Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Murray Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST ANN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Richmond Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ridgecrest, see our Ridgecrest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Burroughs High Ridgecrest | 0.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Richmond Elementary Ridgecrest | 0.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Pierce Elementary Ridgecrest | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Mesquite Continuation High Ridgecrest | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| St. Thomas Ridgecrest | 0.7 mi | — |
| HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Ridgecrest Montessori Children's House Ridgecrest | 0.9 mi | — |
| RIDGECREST ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Ridgecrest | 1.2 mi | — |
| Ridgecrest Adventist Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.2 mi | — |
| James Monroe Middle Ridgecrest | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| St. Ann Ridgecrest | 1.5 mi | — |
| Las Flores Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| ST ANN SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Gateway Elementary Ridgecrest | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Balas Montessori Home School Ridgecrest | 1.6 mi | — |
| Long Point Academy Ridgecrest | 1.5 mi | — |
| HERITAGE MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ridgecrest | 1.6 mi | — |
| Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci Ridgecrest | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Calvary Christian School Ridgecrest | 2.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93555 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,141
Median Home Value
$235,400
Median Rent
$1,180/mo
Population
33,629
College Educated
30.5%
Homeownership
62.7%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
35.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Murray Middle has a median household income of $84,141. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,400, with a median rent of $1,180/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Albert Einstein Middle Sacramento, CA | 3.9 |
| Castle Park Middle Chula Vista, CA | 3.9 |
| Everett Middle San Francisco, CA | 3.9 |
| Norco Intermediate Norco, CA | 3.9 |
| Ridgeview Middle Visalia, CA | 3.9 |
| Rincon Valley Middle Santa Rosa, CA | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Murray Middle
What grades does Murray Middle serve?
Murray Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Murray Middle?
Murray Middle has an enrollment of approximately 686 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Murray Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Murray Middle is 22.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Murray Middle rank in CA?
Murray Middle is ranked #9008 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Murray Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Murray Middle has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Murray Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murray Middle has 25.8% math proficiency and 38.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Murray Middle a charter school?
No, Murray Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Murray Middle a Title I school?
No, Murray Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Murray Middle?
51.0% of students at Murray 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
- City Safety
- High (1,757/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ridgecrest). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 686
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (760) 499-1820
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sierra Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 5,122
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,168
- District Rank
- #9 of 10
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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