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
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 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 8 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: 7.4/10.
How Paulding Middle Compares
See how Paulding Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 37.55% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 61% (2019) to 62.48% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (805) 474-3500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lucia Mar Unified- District Enrollment
- 9,621
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,858
- District Rank
- #6 of 19
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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