Average
#5404 of 9,533 schools in CA
Rancho San Joaquin Middle
Middle School · Irvine Unified
4861 Michelson Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Enrollment
878
Student-Teacher
25.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
878
Student-Teacher
25.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Irvine
#31 of 47
public schools
California middle schools
#790 of 1,349
In district
#29 of 43
Irvine Unified
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Rancho San Joaquin Middle
Rancho San Joaquin Middle serves 878 students in grades 7-8 in Irvine, California, earning strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking in the 88th percentile among California middle schools. The school demonstrates impressive academic performance, with 81% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 73% reaching proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.8 to 1.
The academic excellence is reflected in the school's Academic Score of 9.5 out of 10, indicating consistent student achievement across core subjects. Located on Michelson Drive, Rancho San Joaquin Middle draws from a well-educated community where 67% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding ZIP code 92612 has a median household income of $88,929 and median home values of $896,300, though the area also shows economic diversity with a poverty rate of 26.3%.
The school operates within Irvine's master-planned community environment, benefiting from the city's reputation for educational excellence and family-oriented neighborhoods. This middle school provides a strong foundation for students transitioning between elementary and high school years in one of Orange County's most education-focused cities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Rancho San Joaquin Middle is 25.8:1, 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
Rancho San Joaquin Middle — Students at Rancho San Joaquin Middle score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.7%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.3/10.
How Rancho San Joaquin Middle Compares
See how Rancho San Joaquin Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 72.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 80.56% (2024).
Location
4861 Michelson Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rancho San Joaquin Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Meadow Park Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Culverdale Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE (rated 7.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Irvine, see our Irvine schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Lake Middle Irvine | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Meadow Park Elementary Irvine | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Springbrook Elementary Irvine | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| University Park Elementary Irvine | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Village Montessori School of Irvine Irvine | 0.7 mi | — |
| VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE Irvine | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Woodbridge Children's School Irvine | 0.9 mi | — |
| PACIFIC ACADEMY Irvine | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| JENNY HART EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Irvine | 1.0 mi | — |
| TURTLE ROCK PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Irvine | 1.0 mi | — |
| Woodbridge High Irvine | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Renascence School International Irvine | 1.1 mi | — |
| Westpark Montessori School of Irvine Irvine | 1.1 mi | — |
| WESTPARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE Irvine | 1.1 mi | — |
| Irvine Adult Transition Programs Irvine | 1.3 mi | — |
| Turtle Rock Elementary Irvine | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Culverdale Elementary Irvine | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| University High Irvine | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Mary lou Academy Irvine | 1.3 mi | — |
| LEPORT MONTESSORI IRVINE MANDARIN Irvine | 1.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92612 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,938
Median Home Value
$938,900
Median Rent
$2,803/mo
Population
33,706
College Educated
66.6%
Homeownership
26.9%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
24.1%
Median Age
31.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rancho San Joaquin Middle has a median household income of $95,938. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $938,900, with a median rent of $2,803/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Brownell Middle Gilroy, CA | 6.1 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle Oceanside, CA | 6.1 |
| El Portal Middle Escalon, CA | 6.1 |
| Harriet G. Eddy Middle Elk Grove, CA | 6.1 |
| Hercules Middle Hercules, CA | 6.1 |
| Hillside Middle Simi Valley, CA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rancho San Joaquin Middle
What grades does Rancho San Joaquin Middle serve?
Rancho San Joaquin Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Rancho San Joaquin Middle?
Rancho San Joaquin Middle has an enrollment of approximately 878 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rancho San Joaquin Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Rancho San Joaquin Middle is 25.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rancho San Joaquin Middle rank in CA?
Rancho San Joaquin Middle is ranked #5404 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Rancho San Joaquin Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Rancho San Joaquin Middle has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Rancho San Joaquin Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rancho San Joaquin Middle has 75.4% math proficiency and 81.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rancho San Joaquin Middle a charter school?
No, Rancho San Joaquin Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rancho San Joaquin Middle a Title I school?
No, Rancho San Joaquin Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rancho San Joaquin Middle?
22.7% of students at Rancho San Joaquin 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
- Elevated (1,479/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Irvine). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 878
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 22.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 936-6500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Irvine Unified- District Enrollment
- 37,731
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,405
- District Rank
- #29 of 43
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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