Very Good
#2753 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 29% in state
Nelson Avenue Middle
Middle School · Thermalito Union Elementary
2255 Sixth St., Oroville, CA 95965
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oroville
#4 of 22
public schools
California middle schools
#353 of 1,349
In district
#1 of 5
Thermalito Union Elementary
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Nelson Avenue Middle
Nelson Avenue Middle is a regular public middle school located in Oroville, California. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 457 students and employs 22 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1. The academic performance at Nelson Avenue Middle places it in the 51st percentile among schools in California, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10.
Students perform better in English Language Arts and Reading, where 32% are proficient or above, compared to Math, where only 20% reach proficiency levels. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to supporting student development and continuous academic growth. Nelson Avenue Middle is situated in a rural area near Oroville, providing a close-knit community setting for its students.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Nelson Avenue Middle is 20.8:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Nelson Avenue Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Nelson Avenue Middle — Students at Nelson Avenue Middle score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.7%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Nelson Avenue Middle Compares
See how Nelson Avenue Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 21.83% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 33% (2019) to 31.75% (2024).
Location
2255 Sixth St., Oroville, CA 95965
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nelson Avenue Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Wyandotte Academy (rated 8.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Siskiyou Avenue Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Poplar Avenue Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Oroville, see our Oroville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Community Day Oroville | 0.0 mi | — |
| Butte County Special Education Oroville | 0.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Hearthstone Oroville | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Siskiyou Avenue Elementary Oroville | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Plumas Avenue Elementary Oroville | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Table Mountain Oroville | 0.6 mi | — |
| Oroville High Community Day Oroville | 0.6 mi | — |
| Prospect High (Continuation) Oroville | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Sierra Avenue Elementary Oroville | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Oroville | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| St. Thomas the Apostle Oroville | 1.4 mi | — |
| Ipakanni Early College Charter Oroville | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| STREAM Charter Oroville | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Come Back Butte Charter Oroville | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Poplar Avenue Elementary Oroville | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| BASES Learning Center Oroville | 2.0 mi | — |
| Oroville High Oroville | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| The Studios @ Central Oroville | 2.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Wyandotte Academy Oroville | 2.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Stanford Avenue Elementary Oroville | 2.5 mi | 3.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95965 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,367
Median Home Value
$295,500
Median Rent
$1,112/mo
Population
20,854
College Educated
15.9%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
23.7 min
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Median Age
36.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nelson Avenue Middle has a median household income of $53,367. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,500, with a median rent of $1,112/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Bartlett Middle Porterville, CA | 7.3 |
| Earl Warren Middle Encinitas, CA | 7.3 |
| Farb Middle San Diego, CA | 7.3 |
| General Grant Middle Reedley, CA | 7.3 |
| Los Osos Middle Los Osos, CA | 7.3 |
| Pacheco Elementary Redding, CA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nelson Avenue Middle
What grades does Nelson Avenue Middle serve?
Nelson Avenue Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Nelson Avenue Middle?
Nelson Avenue Middle has an enrollment of approximately 457 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelson Avenue Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Nelson Avenue Middle is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nelson Avenue Middle rank in CA?
Nelson Avenue Middle is ranked #2753 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Nelson Avenue Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Nelson Avenue Middle has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Nelson Avenue Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nelson Avenue Middle has 19.6% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nelson Avenue Middle a charter school?
No, Nelson Avenue Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nelson Avenue Middle a Title I school?
No, Nelson Avenue Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nelson Avenue Middle?
84.7% of students at Nelson Avenue 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oroville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 457
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Butte County
- Phone
- (530) 538-2940
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Thermalito Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,520
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,171
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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
- 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.