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Excellent

#1406 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 15% in state

North Star Academy

Middle School · Redwood City Elementary

400 Duane St., Redwood City, CA 94062

Enrollment

527

Student-Teacher

25.1:1

Score

8.0

Grades

3rd – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Redwood City

#4 of 34

public schools

California middle schools

#158 of 1,349

In district

#1 of 12

Redwood City Elementary

Equity

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About North Star Academy

North Star Academy serves 527 students in grades 3 through 8 in Redwood City, California. This middle school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a 8.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking among the top 5% of California schools at #463 out of 9,566 statewide. The school's academic achievements are particularly impressive, with 95% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while an outstanding 96% reach proficiency in mathematics.

These strong outcomes reflect the school's commitment to educational excellence across all grade levels. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, North Star Academy maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.1 to 1. The school operates as a regular public institution, providing comprehensive middle school education in a structured environment.

Located at 400 Duane Street, North Star Academy sits within the affluent 94062 zip code area, where the median household income reaches $230,391 and 67% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood features a median home value of $2 million and maintains a low poverty rate of just 5.3%. This small city setting in San Mateo County provides students with access to both educational resources and the cultural opportunities of the greater Bay Area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at North Star Academy is 25.1:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.9Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency95.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency94.7%
Math vs. State Avg+49.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+51.9 pts
Overall Proficiency95%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+24.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,417

North Star Academy — Students at North Star Academy score 95% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

7.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 95.6%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 94.9%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
96%
ELA
96%
2024
Math
95.6%
ELA
94.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.

How North Star Academy Compares

See how North Star Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
85th percentile in CA
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
8%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

400 Duane St., Redwood City, CA 94062

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Star Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. John F. Kennedy Middle (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, McKinley Institute of Technology (rated 3.8/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Redwood City, see our Redwood City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
McKinley Institute of Technology Redwood City 0.0 mi 3.8
Redeemer Lutheran School Redwood City 0.2 mi
REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Redwood City 0.2 mi 4.7
Sequoia High Redwood City 0.2 mi 7.4
OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL SCHOOL Redwood City 0.2 mi 6.1
Rocketship Redwood City Redwood City 0.5 mi 2.3
Orion Alternative Redwood City 0.6 mi 7.6
CREATIVE LEARNING CENTER Redwood City 0.6 mi 6.9
WINGS LEARNING CENTER Redwood City 0.5 mi
Redwood High Redwood City 1.1 mi 6.4
Roosevelt Elementary Redwood City 1.2 mi 3.2
KUBO MONTESSORI Redwood City 1.3 mi
Hoover Elementary Redwood City 1.1 mi 4.0
WEINGARTEN CHILDRENS CENTER Redwood City 1.2 mi
Weingarten Children's Center Redwood City 1.3 mi
St. Pius Elementary Redwood City 1.4 mi
ST PIUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Redwood City 1.4 mi 6.1
John F. Kennedy Middle Redwood City 1.5 mi 7.5
White Oaks Elementary San Carlos 1.3 mi 5.4
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Redwood City 1.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$233,333

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$2,885/mo

Population

25,944

College Educated

67.6%

Homeownership

71.3%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

4.4%

Median Age

44.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Star Academy has a median household income of $233,333. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $2,885/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Berendo Middle Los Angeles, CA 8.0
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle Costa Mesa, CA 8.0
Citrus Middle Orange Cove, CA 8.0
Emerson Community Charter Los Angeles, CA 8.0
Haven Drive Middle Arvin, CA 8.0
Herman (Leonard) Intermediate San Jose, CA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Star Academy

What grades does North Star Academy serve?

North Star Academy serves students in grades 3rd through 8th.

How many students attend North Star Academy?

North Star Academy has an enrollment of approximately 527 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Star Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at North Star Academy is 25.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Star Academy rank in CA?

North Star Academy is ranked #1406 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is North Star Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

North Star Academy has a composite rating of 8.0 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 North Star Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Star Academy has 95.6% math proficiency and 94.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Star Academy a charter school?

No, North Star Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is North Star Academy a Title I school?

No, North Star Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Star Academy?

7.8% of students at North Star Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
84 Very Walkable
Bike Score
70 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,120/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Redwood City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 8th
Enrollment
527
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
7.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
San Mateo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Redwood City Elementary
District Enrollment
6,332
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,911
District Rank
#1 of 12

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 methodology

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