Average
#5160 of 9,539 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
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
611
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,160 of 9,539
In district
#3 of 4
Soquel Union Elementary
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New Brighton Middle
Middle School in Capitola · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Soquel Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About New Brighton Middle
New Brighton Middle is a public middle school in Capitola, CA, part of Soquel Union Elementary. New Brighton Middle serves approximately 611 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio. New Brighton Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #5,160 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for New Brighton Middle show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
New Brighton Middle runs 20.4:1 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.
37% of students at New Brighton Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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: 57%).
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 30 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: 6.4/10.
How New Brighton Middle Compares
See how New Brighton Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Green Acres Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), which scores notably higher. Another option is Soquel High (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Soquel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shoreline Middle (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 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 | 6.9 |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Opal Cliffs Capitola | 0.9 mi | — |
| Soquel High Soquel | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Delta Charter Aptos | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Mar Vista Elementary Aptos | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Tara Redwood School Soquel | 2.5 mi | — |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Chrysostom Classical Academy Aptos | 2.2 mi | — |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Del Mar Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Amelia Earhart Middle Riverside, CA | 6.2 |
| Colina Middle Thousand Oaks, CA | 6.2 |
| Emerson Middle Pomona, CA | 6.2 |
| Emilie J. Ross Middle Hughson, CA | 6.2 |
| Excelsior Middle Byron, CA | 6.2 |
| Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High Davis, CA | 6.2 |
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 ranks #5,160 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is New Brighton Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
New Brighton Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 New Brighton Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, New Brighton Middle has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.8%
- Phone
- (831) 464-5660
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
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