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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.7%
Math vs. State Avg-11.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.6 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-16.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,230

Potter Valley Junior High — Students at Potter Valley Junior High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 21.2%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 33.5%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2024
Math
23.2%
ELA
33.2%

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.

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in CA
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (305/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Potter Valley Community Unified
District Enrollment
277
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,312
District Rank
#1 of 3

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 methodology

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