Average
#6912 of 9,533 schools in CA
New Brighton Middle
Middle School · Soquel Union Elementary
250 Washburn Ave., Capitola, CA 95010
Enrollment
611
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
611
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California middle schools
#1,037 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 4
Soquel Union Elementary
About New Brighton Middle
New Brighton Middle, located in Capitola, California, is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 611 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student grow and develop academically. The dedicated team of 30 full-time equivalent teachers focuses on providing a supportive learning environment.
New Brighton Middle's MySchoolScout Rating is 5.8 out of 10, reflecting its position at the 56th percentile among California schools in terms of state ranking. Academically, students perform around average with 58% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 39% meet the proficiency mark in math. The school is situated in a mid-size suburb where families can enjoy a community-oriented atmosphere.
New Brighton Middle serves as an integral part of this neighborhood, fostering educational opportunities for its students within a supportive setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at New Brighton Middle is 20.4:1, 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
New Brighton Middle — Students at New Brighton Middle score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.9/10.
How New Brighton Middle Compares
See how New Brighton Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 36.64% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 55.46% (2024).
Location
250 Washburn Ave., Capitola, CA 95010
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering New Brighton Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 8.8/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), which scores notably higher. Another option is Soquel High (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Soquel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Capitola, see our Capitola schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High Soquel | 0.7 mi | — |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Opal Cliffs Capitola | 0.9 mi | — |
| Soquel High Soquel | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Delta Charter Aptos | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Mar Vista Elementary Aptos | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Tara Redwood School Soquel | 2.5 mi | — |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Chrysostom Classical Academy Aptos | 2.2 mi | — |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Del Mar Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Seacliff Academy Aptos | 2.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95010 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$96,701
Median Home Value
$781,900
Median Rent
$2,370/mo
Population
8,697
College Educated
46.5%
Homeownership
46.5%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
49.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding New Brighton Middle has a median household income of $96,701. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $781,900, with a median rent of $2,370/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Bancroft Middle Long Beach, CA | 5.4 |
| Clark Middle San Diego, CA | 5.4 |
| Dallas Ranch Middle Antioch, CA | 5.4 |
| Denman (James) Middle San Francisco, CA | 5.4 |
| Emerson Middle Pomona, CA | 5.4 |
| Fillmore Middle Fillmore, CA | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about New Brighton Middle
What grades does New Brighton Middle serve?
New Brighton Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend New Brighton Middle?
New Brighton Middle has an enrollment of approximately 611 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at New Brighton Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at New Brighton Middle is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does New Brighton Middle rank in CA?
New Brighton Middle is ranked #6912 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is New Brighton Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
New Brighton 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 New Brighton Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Brighton Middle has 38.6% math proficiency and 57.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is New Brighton Middle a charter school?
No, New Brighton Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is New Brighton Middle a Title I school?
No, New Brighton Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Brighton Middle?
31.1% of students at New Brighton 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 (3,182/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Capitola). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 611
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 464-5660
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Soquel Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,566
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,473
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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