Average
#5824 of 9,533 schools in CA
Portola Middle
Middle School · Orange Unified
270 North Palm Dr., Orange, CA 92868
Enrollment
577
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
577
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Orange
#22 of 27
public schools
California middle schools
#845 of 1,349
In district
#32 of 39
Orange Unified
About Portola Middle
Portola Middle is a regular public middle school located in Orange, California, within the heart of Orange County. The school serves students in grades six through eight and has an enrollment of 577 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1, ensuring that each teacher can focus on individual needs. Portola Middle is situated in a mid-size city, offering a blend of urban conveniences and community engagement.
Academically, Portola Middle has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks 7679th out of 9566 schools statewide, placing it in the 20th percentile. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading proficiency, about 30% of students are at or above grade level, while only 17% meet the state standards for math proficiency. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.
Portola Middle sits in a bustling area that provides its students with opportunities to engage in diverse community activities, making it a vibrant place to learn and grow.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Portola Middle is 21.4:1, 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
Portola Middle — Students at Portola Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 6.4/10.
How Portola Middle Compares
See how Portola Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 15.52% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 28.97% (2024).
Location
270 North Palm Dr., Orange, CA 92868
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Portola Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Palmyra GATE Magnet (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sycamore Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cambridge Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Orange, see our Orange schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Nobis Montessori Orange | 0.1 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI FAR HORIZONS Orange | 0.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Sycamore Elementary Orange | 0.2 mi | 7.9 |
| West Orange Elementary Orange | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Unity Middle College High Orange | 0.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Richland Continuation High Orange | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Orange | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Orange | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| ACCESS Juvenile Hall Costa Mesa | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Orange High Orange | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Fairhaven Elementary Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Advanced Learning Academy Santa Ana | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Cambridge Elementary Orange | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| CALIFORNIA KIDS CENTERS Santa Ana | 1.7 mi | — |
| Adelphia Classical Christian Academy Orange | 1.6 mi | — |
| Tomorrow's Leadership Collaborative (TLC) Charter Orange | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Yorba Middle Orange | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Santiago Elementary Santa Ana | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Palmyra GATE Magnet Orange | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| St. Norbert Catholic School Orange | 1.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92868 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,050
Median Home Value
$714,300
Median Rent
$2,356/mo
Population
27,390
College Educated
35.6%
Homeownership
31.7%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Median Age
33.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Portola Middle has a median household income of $89,050. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $714,300, with a median rent of $2,356/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 Los Angeles, CA | 5.9 |
| Alliance Virgil Roberts Leadership Academy Los Angeles, CA | 5.9 |
| Alta Loma Junior High Alta Loma, CA | 5.9 |
| Edwin Markham Middle Los Angeles, CA | 5.9 |
| Excelsior Middle Byron, CA | 5.9 |
| Fort Bragg Middle Fort Bragg, CA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Portola Middle
What grades does Portola Middle serve?
Portola Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Portola Middle?
Portola Middle has an enrollment of approximately 577 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Portola Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Portola Middle is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Portola Middle rank in CA?
Portola Middle is ranked #5824 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Portola Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Portola Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Portola Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portola Middle has 17.1% math proficiency and 29.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Portola Middle a charter school?
No, Portola Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Portola Middle a Title I school?
No, Portola Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portola Middle?
90.8% of students at Portola 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
- City Safety
- High (1,525/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Orange). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 577
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 90.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (714) 997-6361
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Orange Unified- District Enrollment
- 24,266
- Schools in District
- 41
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,147
- District Rank
- #32 of 39
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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