Very Good
#2560 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 27% 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
7.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,560 of 9,539
In Arroyo Grande
#3 of 8
public schools
In district
#5 of 19
Lucia Mar Unified
School environment
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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Paulding Middle
Middle School in Arroyo Grande · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Valley View Adventist Junior Academy
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Valley View Adventist School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Paulding Middle
Paulding Middle is a public middle school in Arroyo Grande, CA, part of Lucia Mar Unified. Paulding Middle serves approximately 562 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 20.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Paulding Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,560 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Paulding Middle show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- District avg 6.9
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Paulding Middle runs 20.1:1 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Paulding Middle — Students at Paulding Middle score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 28 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: 6.7/10.
How Paulding Middle Compares
See how Paulding Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Judkins Middle (rated 7.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Pismo Beach), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mesa Middle (rated 6.0/10, 3.5 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 6.6 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| Ocean View Elementary Arroyo Grande | 1.6 mi | 8.6 |
| COASTAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pismo Beach | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Fairgrove Elementary Grover Beach | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Branch Elementary Arroyo Grande | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Oceano Elementary Oceano | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Grover Beach Elementary Grover Beach | 2.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Grover Heights Elementary Grover Beach | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| DANDY LION MONTESSORI SCHOOL Grover Beach | 2.8 mi | — |
| Mesa Middle Arroyo Grande | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Lopez Continuation High Arroyo Grande | 4.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Pacific View Academy Arroyo Grande | 4.4 mi | 2.5 |
| Judkins Middle Pismo Beach | 4.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Los Ranchos Elementary San Luis Obispo | 7.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Shell Beach Elementary Pismo Beach | 6.5 mi | 7.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Baird Middle Fresno, CA | 7.5 |
| Belvedere Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.5 |
| Buchser Middle Santa Clara, CA | 7.5 |
| Casimir Middle Torrance, CA | 7.5 |
| Cecil Avenue Math and Science Academy Delano, CA | 7.5 |
| Citrus Middle Orange Cove, CA | 7.5 |
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 ranks #2,560 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Paulding Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Paulding Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Paulding Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paulding Middle has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.4%
- Phone
- (805) 474-3500
Resources & Links
District
Lucia Mar Unified- District Enrollment
- 9,621
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,858
- District Rank
- #5 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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