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Very Good

#2466 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 26% in state

Paulding Middle

Middle School · Lucia Mar Unified

600 Crown Hill St., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Enrollment

562

Student-Teacher

20.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Arroyo Grande

#4 of 8

public schools

California middle schools

#312 of 1,349

In district

#6 of 19

Lucia Mar Unified

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Paulding Middle

Paulding Middle serves 562 students in grades 7-8 in Arroyo Grande, California, offering a solid educational foundation with a student-teacher ratio of 20.1:1 and 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 78th percentile among California middle schools, placing it at #2079 out of 9566 schools statewide. Academically, Paulding Middle demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, where 62% of students perform at proficient or above levels across grade levels.

Mathematics presents more of a growth opportunity, with 38% of students achieving proficiency. These results reflect the school's commitment to student development while highlighting areas for continued focus. The school serves a community characterized by economic stability, with families in the surrounding 93420 ZIP code enjoying a median household income of $104,314 and a low poverty rate of just 6.2%.

The neighborhood shows strong educational values, with 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values of $836,500 reflecting the area's desirability. Paulding Middle is situated in Arroyo Grande's small suburban setting, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to the broader resources of San Luis Obispo County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Paulding Middle is 20.1:1, 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 Progress7.4Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.8Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.5%
Math vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.2 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,869

Paulding Middle — Students at Paulding Middle score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.9%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 62.1%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 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
43%
ELA
61%
2024
Math
37.5%
ELA
62.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.

How Paulding Middle Compares

See how Paulding Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in CA
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

600 Crown Hill St., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paulding Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mesa Middle (rated 6.7/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Judkins Middle (rated 6.6/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Pismo Beach), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Arroyo Grande, see our Arroyo Grande schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.5 mi
School Distance Rating
VALLEY VIEW ADVENTIST JUNIOR ACADEMY Arroyo Grande 0.7 mi 6.8
Valley View Adventist School Arroyo Grande 0.8 mi
Arroyo Grande High Arroyo Grande 0.9 mi 8.1
ARROYO GRANDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Arroyo Grande 1.0 mi
ST PATRICKS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Arroyo Grande 1.2 mi 5.0
Harloe Elementary Arroyo Grande 1.6 mi 5.4
Ocean View Elementary Arroyo Grande 1.6 mi 8.2
COASTAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pismo Beach 2.2 mi 4.6
Fairgrove Elementary Grover Beach 2.3 mi 8.6
Branch Elementary Arroyo Grande 2.7 mi 9.0
Oceano Elementary Oceano 2.8 mi 6.8
Grover Beach Elementary Grover Beach 2.7 mi 3.7
Grover Heights Elementary Grover Beach 2.7 mi 6.6
DANDY LION MONTESSORI SCHOOL Grover Beach 2.8 mi
Mesa Middle Arroyo Grande 3.5 mi 6.7
Lopez Continuation High Arroyo Grande 4.4 mi 6.8
Pacific View Academy Arroyo Grande 4.4 mi 5.8
Judkins Middle Pismo Beach 4.0 mi 6.6
Los Ranchos Elementary San Luis Obispo 7.0 mi 5.9
Shell Beach Elementary Pismo Beach 6.5 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93420 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$106,718

Median Home Value

$872,200

Median Rent

$2,025/mo

Population

32,016

College Educated

43.7%

Homeownership

66.2%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.5%

Median Age

45.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paulding Middle has a median household income of $106,718. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $872,200, with a median rent of $2,025/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Baird Middle Fresno, CA 7.4
Christa McAuliffe Middle Stockton, CA 7.4
Coronado Middle Coronado, CA 7.4
Edward J. Richardson Middle Torrance, CA 7.4
Florence Nightingale Middle Los Angeles, CA 7.4
George V. LeyVa Intermediate San Jose, CA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paulding Middle

What grades does Paulding Middle serve?

Paulding Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Paulding Middle?

Paulding Middle has an enrollment of approximately 562 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paulding Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Paulding Middle is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paulding Middle rank in CA?

Paulding Middle is ranked #2466 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Paulding Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Paulding Middle has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Paulding Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paulding Middle has 38.9% math proficiency and 62.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paulding Middle a charter school?

No, Paulding Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paulding Middle a Title I school?

No, Paulding Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paulding Middle?

51.2% of students at Paulding 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (968/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
San Luis Obispo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lucia Mar Unified
District Enrollment
9,621
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,858
District Rank
#6 of 19

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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