Very Good
#3153 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 33% in state
Potter Valley Junior High
Middle School · Potter Valley Community Unified
PO Box 219, Potter Valley, CA 95469
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Potter Valley
#1 of 3
public schools
California middle schools
#419 of 1,349
In district
#1 of 3
Potter Valley Community Unified
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Potter Valley Junior High
Potter Valley Junior High is a small middle school nestled in the rural community of Potter Valley, California. With an enrollment of just 43 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.5:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment where each student receives individual attention. The two full-time equivalent teachers work diligently to support their students' academic growth and personal development.
While Potter Valley Junior High's MySchoolScout rating of 5.1/10 places it in the 45th percentile among California schools, with room for improvement in academics, the school remains dedicated to fostering a supportive community for its young learners. In recent assessments, 34% of students were proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 21% achieved proficiency or higher in Math. Set against the backdrop of rural Mendocino County, Potter Valley Junior High is deeply rooted in the local community, offering a close-knit environment where teachers know each student well and can provide tailored support.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 43 students, Potter Valley Junior High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Potter Valley Junior High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Potter Valley Junior High is 21.5:1, 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
Potter Valley Junior High — Students at Potter Valley Junior High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.8%
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: 9.1/10.
How Potter Valley Junior High Compares
See how Potter Valley Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 21.95% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 31.71% (2024).
Location
PO Box 219, Potter Valley, CA 95469
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Potter Valley Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Frank Zeek Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Ukiah), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tree of Life Charter (rated 7.6/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Ukiah), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Potter Valley High (rated 6.9/10), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Potter Valley, see our Potter Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Potter Valley Elementary Potter Valley | 0.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Potter Valley High Potter Valley | 0.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Eagle Peak Middle Redwood Valley | 7.1 mi | 6.3 |
| The Waldorf School of Mendocino County Calpella | 7.9 mi | — |
| THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF MENDOCINO COUNTY Calpella | 7.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Calpella Elementary Ukiah | 8.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Deep Valley Christian Redwood Valley | 7.7 mi | — |
| DEEP VALLEY CHRISTIAN Redwood Valley | 7.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Tree of Life Charter Ukiah | 12.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Redwood Collegiate Academy Ukiah | 12.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Sequoia Career Academy Ukiah | 12.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Oak Manor Elementary Ukiah | 12.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Frank Zeek Elementary Ukiah | 12.5 mi | 8.6 |
| West Hills Juvenile Hall Court Ukiah | 12.6 mi | — |
| Mendocino County Community Ukiah | 12.6 mi | — |
| Ukiah High Ukiah | 12.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Instilling Goodness Developing Virtue School Ukiah | 13.4 mi | — |
| Ukiah Independent Study Academy Ukiah | 12.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Orr Creek Ukiah | 12.7 mi | — |
| River Oak Charter Ukiah | 13.1 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95469 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,402
Median Home Value
$593,800
Median Rent
$1,406/mo
Population
1,503
College Educated
34.6%
Homeownership
67.5%
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
49.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Potter Valley Junior High has a median household income of $66,402. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $593,800, with a median rent of $1,406/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CITY KIDS LA Los Angeles, CA | 7.1 |
| INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Montclair, CA | 7.0 |
| VISALIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Visalia, CA | 7.2 |
| NATIVITY PREP ACADEMY San Diego, CA | 6.7 |
| ODYSSEY SCHOOL San Mateo, CA | 7.5 |
| CHILDRENS WORKSHOP San Diego, CA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Potter Valley Junior High
What grades does Potter Valley Junior High serve?
Potter Valley Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Potter Valley Junior High?
Potter Valley Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 43 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Potter Valley Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Potter Valley Junior High is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Potter Valley Junior High rank in CA?
Potter Valley Junior High is ranked #3153 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Potter Valley Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Potter Valley Junior High has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Potter Valley Junior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Potter Valley Junior High has 21.2% math proficiency and 33.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Potter Valley Junior High a charter school?
No, Potter Valley Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Potter Valley Junior High a Title I school?
No, Potter Valley Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Potter Valley Junior High?
55.8% of students at Potter Valley Junior High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 43
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Mendocino County
- Phone
- (707) 743-1142
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Potter Valley Community Unified- District Enrollment
- 277
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,312
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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.
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