Very Good
#2925 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 31% in state
Octavia E. Butler Magnet
Middle School · Pasadena Unified
1505 North Marengo Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pasadena
#9 of 21
public schools
California middle schools
#386 of 1,349
In district
#13 of 23
Pasadena Unified
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Octavia E. Butler Magnet
Octavia E. Butler Magnet is a middle school located in Pasadena, California, serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 519 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1, the school provides a relatively personalized learning environment with 27 full-time equivalent teachers.
Octavia E. Butler Magnet focuses on developing its students’ academic skills, though current test scores show that only 24% are proficient in ELA/reading and 16% are proficient in math, indicating areas where further improvement is needed. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 reflects the ongoing efforts to enhance educational outcomes for its students.
Located in a mid-size city setting, Octavia E. Butler Magnet benefits from being part of Pasadena’s vibrant community, offering students opportunities beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Octavia E. Butler Magnet are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Octavia E. Butler Magnet — Students at Octavia E. Butler Magnet score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.1%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.
How Octavia E. Butler Magnet Compares
See how Octavia E. Butler Magnet performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 14% (2019) to 16.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 21% (2019) to 25.15% (2024).
Location
1505 North Marengo Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Octavia E. Butler Magnet may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CHANDLER SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW HORIZON SCHOOL PASADENA (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Altadena Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Altadena), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pasadena, see our Pasadena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Elementary STEM Magnet Pasadena | 0.1 mi | 4.5 |
| PASADENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pasadena | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| HARRIET TUBMAN PRESCHOOL & ELEMENTARY Pasadena | 0.7 mi | — |
| Harriet Tubman Pasadena | 0.7 mi | — |
| Madison Elementary Pasadena | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Alma Fuerte Public Pasadena | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| John Muir High Pasadena | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| FRIENDS WESTERN SCHOOL Pasadena | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| ST ELIZABETH SCHOOL Altadena | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| St Elizabeth Parish School Altadena | 1.0 mi | — |
| Altadena Elementary Altadena | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Longfellow (Henry W.) Elementary Pasadena | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| New Horizon School Pasadena Pasadena | 1.3 mi | — |
| NEW HORIZON SCHOOL PASADENA Pasadena | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| FAIR OAKS SCHOOL Altadena | 1.4 mi | — |
| Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary Altadena | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Charles W. Eliot Middle Altadena | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| CHANDLER SCHOOL Pasadena | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| PASADENA WALDORF SCHOOL Altadena | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| St. Andrew Catholic School Pasadena | 1.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,683
Median Home Value
$960,000
Median Rent
$1,925/mo
Population
24,910
College Educated
37.7%
Homeownership
46.6%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Median Age
39.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Octavia E. Butler Magnet has a median household income of $84,683. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $960,000, with a median rent of $1,925/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Charles Drew Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 |
| Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle Placentia, CA | 7.2 |
| Diablo View Middle Clayton, CA | 7.2 |
| Elizabeth Terronez Middle Fresno, CA | 7.2 |
| Haskell (Pliny Fisk) Middle Cerritos, CA | 7.2 |
| Hubert Howe Bancroft Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Octavia E. Butler Magnet
What grades does Octavia E. Butler Magnet serve?
Octavia E. Butler Magnet serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Octavia E. Butler Magnet?
Octavia E. Butler Magnet has an enrollment of approximately 519 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Octavia E. Butler Magnet?
The student-teacher ratio at Octavia E. Butler Magnet is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Octavia E. Butler Magnet rank in CA?
Octavia E. Butler Magnet is ranked #2925 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Octavia E. Butler Magnet's MySchoolScout rating?
Octavia E. Butler Magnet has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Octavia E. Butler Magnet?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Octavia E. Butler Magnet has 15.9% math proficiency and 24.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Octavia E. Butler Magnet a charter school?
No, Octavia E. Butler Magnet is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Octavia E. Butler Magnet a Title I school?
No, Octavia E. Butler Magnet is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Octavia E. Butler Magnet?
82.1% of students at Octavia E. Butler Magnet 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
- Walk Score
- 58 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 44 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 64 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,203/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pasadena). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 519
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (626) 396-5830
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pasadena Unified- District Enrollment
- 13,978
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,565
- District Rank
- #13 of 23
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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