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Very Good

#3581 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 38% in state

Pioneer Middle

Middle School · Tustin Unified

300 South C St., Tustin, CA 92780

Enrollment

941

Student-Teacher

26.9:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,581 of 9,539

In Tustin

#8 of 26

public schools

In district

#8 of 28

Tustin Unified

Equity

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Pioneer Middle

7.0/10

Middle School in Tustin · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Peters Canyon Elementary

5.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Ladera Elementary

5.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pioneer Middle

Pioneer Middle is a public middle school in Tustin, CA, part of Tustin Unified. Pioneer Middle serves approximately 941 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 26.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Pioneer Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #3,581 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Pioneer Middle show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.0
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Pioneer Middle runs 26.9:1 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 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+27.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.8 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,477
Chronic Absenteeism12%

Pioneer Middle — Students at Pioneer Middle score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 68.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 75.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
80%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
63%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
66%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
66%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
59.7%
ELA
72.7%
2024
Math
62.2%
ELA
73.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.

How Pioneer Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in CA
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

300 South C St., Tustin, CA 92780

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Foothill High (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Tustin Memorial Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Santa Ana), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL, NORTH TUSTIN CAMPUS (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby North Tustin), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Tustin, see our Tustin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Peters Canyon Elementary Tustin 0.3 mi 5.0
Ladera Elementary Tustin 0.4 mi 5.9
Myford Elementary Tustin 1.0 mi 7.2
Orchard Hills Irvine 1.1 mi 6.8
Arroyo Elementary Tustin 1.4 mi 6.7
Tustin Ranch Elementary Tustin 1.4 mi 5.6
Red Hill Elementary Santa Ana 1.3 mi 6.0
LEPORT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Irvine 1.4 mi
Tustin Memorial Elementary Santa Ana 1.3 mi 7.7
Hicks Canyon Elementary Tustin 1.5 mi 7.3
Joseph of Cupertino Classical Academy Irvine 1.6 mi
Northwood High Irvine 1.7 mi 7.0
Foothill High Tustin 1.8 mi 7.9
Canyon View Elementary Irvine 1.9 mi 7.3
Barbara Benson Elementary Tustin 1.8 mi 4.5
Northwood Montessori School of Irvine Irvine 2.1 mi
NORTHWOOD MONTESSORI OF IRVINE Irvine 2.1 mi
Grace Global Vision Tustin 1.9 mi
Sierra Vista Middle Irvine 2.2 mi 7.4
FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL, NORTH TUSTIN CAMPUS North Tustin 1.9 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92780 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,647

Median Home Value

$832,200

Median Rent

$2,211/mo

Population

54,495

College Educated

35.5%

Homeownership

45.8%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

35.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Beattie Middle Highland, CA 7.0
Charles Drew Middle Los Angeles, CA 7.0
Columbia Middle Sunnyvale, CA 7.0
Etiwanda Intermediate Etiwanda, CA 7.0
Glen Edwards Middle Lincoln, CA 7.0
Gonzalo Felicitas Mendez Fundamental Intermediate Santa Ana, CA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pioneer Middle

What grades does Pioneer Middle serve?

Pioneer Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Pioneer Middle?

Pioneer Middle has an enrollment of approximately 941 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Middle is 26.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pioneer Middle rank in CA?

Pioneer Middle ranks #3,581 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Pioneer Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Pioneer Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pioneer Middle has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Pioneer Middle a charter school?

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

Is Pioneer Middle a Title I school?

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

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

34.6% of students at Pioneer 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
18 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
941
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.0%

District

Tustin Unified
District Enrollment
21,600
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,477
District Rank
#8 of 28

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