Below Average
#7987 of 9,539 schools in CA
Portola Middle
Middle School · Orange Unified
270 North Palm Dr., Orange, CA 92868
Enrollment
577
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
577
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,987 of 9,539
In Orange
#24 of 27
public schools
In district
#33 of 39
Orange Unified
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Portola Middle
Middle School in Orange · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Nobis Montessori
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Montessori Far Horizons
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Portola Middle
Portola Middle is a public middle school in Orange, CA, part of Orange Unified. Portola Middle serves approximately 577 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Portola Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #7,987 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Portola Middle show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 6.3
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Portola Middle runs 21.4:1 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.
42% of students at Portola Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.
How Portola Middle Compares
See how Portola Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Tomorrow's Leadership Collaborative (TLC) Charter (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Palmyra GATE Magnet (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI FAR HORIZONS (rated 7.3/10, 0.1 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 | 6.3 |
| West Orange Elementary Orange | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Unity Middle College High Orange | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Richland Continuation High Orange | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| Orange High Orange | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Fairhaven Elementary Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Advanced Learning Academy Santa Ana | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Cambridge Elementary Orange | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| Santiago Elementary Santa Ana | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Palmyra GATE Magnet Orange | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| C. E. Utt Middle Tustin, CA | 4.5 |
| Crescent Elk Middle Crescent City, CA | 4.5 |
| Fulton and Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering Lancaster, CA | 4.5 |
| Huron Middle Huron, CA | 4.5 |
| Norman N. Glick Middle Modesto, CA | 4.5 |
| Rancho San Justo Hollister, CA | 4.5 |
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 ranks #7,987 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Portola Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Portola Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Portola Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Portola Middle has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.1%
- Phone
- (714) 997-6361
Resources & Links
District
Orange Unified- District Enrollment
- 24,266
- Schools in District
- 41
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,147
- District Rank
- #33 of 39
How we rate schools
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