Average
#3974 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 42% 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
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3,974 of 9,539
In Pasadena
#11 of 21
public schools
In district
#13 of 23
Pasadena Unified
School environment
8.8 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Octavia E. Butler Magnet?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Octavia E. Butler Magnet
Middle School in Pasadena · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Washington Elementary Stem Magnet
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pasadena Christian School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Octavia E. Butler Magnet
Octavia E. Butler Magnet is a public middle school in Pasadena, CA, part of Pasadena Unified. Octavia E.
Butler Magnet serves approximately 519 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Octavia E. Butler Magnet has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #3,974 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Octavia E. Butler Magnet show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 7.3
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Octavia E. Butler Magnet sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
31% of students at Octavia E. Butler Magnet 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
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 30 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: 7.9/10.
How Octavia E. Butler Magnet Compares
See how Octavia E. Butler Magnet performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 notably higher. Additionally, Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Altadena), which scores notably 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 | 5.0 |
| 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 | 4.4 |
| Alma Fuerte Public Pasadena | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| John Muir High Pasadena | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| Longfellow (Henry W.) Elementary Pasadena | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| Charles W. Eliot Middle Altadena | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ahwahnee Middle Fresno, CA | 6.8 |
| Alliance Kory Hunter Middle Los Angeles, CA | 6.8 |
| Alta Loma Middle South San Francisco, CA | 6.8 |
| Bernal Intermediate San Jose, CA | 6.8 |
| Blaker-Kinser Junior High Ceres, CA | 6.8 |
| Farmersville Junior High Farmersville, CA | 6.8 |
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 ranks #3,974 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Octavia E. Butler Magnet's MySchoolScout rating?
Octavia E. Butler Magnet has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Octavia E. Butler Magnet?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Octavia E. Butler Magnet has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.8%
- Phone
- (626) 396-5830
Resources & Links
District
Pasadena Unified- District Enrollment
- 13,978
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,565
- District Rank
- #13 of 23
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.