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Very Good

#1977 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 21% in state

Ranchos Middle

Middle School · Golden Valley Unified

12455 Road 35 1/2, Madera, CA 93636

Enrollment

405

Student-Teacher

23.8:1

Score

7.6

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Madera

#2 of 41

public schools

California middle schools

#229 of 1,349

In district

#1 of 7

Golden Valley Unified

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Ranchos Middle

Ranchos Middle serves 405 students in grades 7-8 in Madera, California, earning a solid 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 79th percentile among California middle schools. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.8 to 1. Academically, Ranchos Middle demonstrates strong performance, particularly in English Language Arts where 67% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.

Math scores show 49% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating room for continued growth in mathematical achievement. The school's overall academic score of 8.3 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student learning and development. The school draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $119,375 and median home values are $450,900.

With 38% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 8.1%, the area provides a stable foundation for educational pursuits. The ZIP code 93636 encompasses a population of 13,447 residents. Ranchos Middle sits in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to broader educational and cultural opportunities in the greater Madera area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Ranchos Middle is 23.8:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Ranchos Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.4Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.5%
Math vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.2 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
Resources & Environment3.3Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,451

Ranchos Middle — Students at Ranchos Middle score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 43.9%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
38%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
48.9%
ELA
67.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.

How Ranchos Middle Compares

See how Ranchos Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
79th percentile in CA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

12455 Road 35 1/2, Madera, CA 93636

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ranchos Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Norman Liddell Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Fresno), which scores slightly higher. Another option is River Bluff Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Fresno), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Rio Vista Middle (rated 7.5/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Fresno), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Madera, see our Madera schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Independence Continuation High Madera 0.4 mi 4.6
Liberty High Madera 0.4 mi 5.1
Centennial Independent Study Madera 0.4 mi
Webster Elementary Madera 0.9 mi 4.5
FOOTHILL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Madera 2.5 mi
Freedom Home Madera 4.1 mi 3.6
Sierra View Elementary Madera 4.2 mi 4.8
Norman Liddell Elementary Fresno 6.0 mi 7.9
Elephant Owl School of SAT Sciences Fresno 6.5 mi
Rio Vista Middle Fresno 6.5 mi 7.5
River Bluff Elementary Fresno 6.6 mi 7.7
Stone Creek Elementary Madera 5.4 mi 5.4
H. Roger Tatarian Elementary Fresno 6.7 mi 6.2
Herndon-Barstow Elementary Fresno 7.2 mi 5.8
William Saroyan Elementary Fresno 7.2 mi 4.4
Figarden Elementary Fresno 7.4 mi 6.9
Valley Children's Hospital Madera 6.5 mi
Cesar Chavez Elementary Madera 6.4 mi 6.4
Lawless Elementary Fresno 8.2 mi 7.1
Nelson Elementary Pinedale 7.7 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93636 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$124,024

Median Home Value

$483,300

Median Rent

$1,788/mo

Population

14,777

College Educated

38.6%

Homeownership

88.3%

Avg Commute

34.5 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ranchos Middle has a median household income of $124,024. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $483,300, with a median rent of $1,788/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Anderson Middle Anderson, CA 7.6
Animo Florence-Firestone Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA 7.6
Lindbergh STEM Academy Long Beach, CA 7.6
Lloyd G. Johnson Junior High Arbuckle, CA 7.6
Rio Bravo-Greeley Elementary Bakersfield, CA 7.6
Seaside Middle Seaside, CA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ranchos Middle

What grades does Ranchos Middle serve?

Ranchos Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Ranchos Middle?

Ranchos Middle has an enrollment of approximately 405 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ranchos Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Ranchos Middle is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ranchos Middle rank in CA?

Ranchos Middle is ranked #1977 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Ranchos Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Ranchos Middle has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Ranchos Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ranchos Middle has 43.9% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ranchos Middle a charter school?

No, Ranchos Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ranchos Middle a Title I school?

No, Ranchos Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ranchos Middle?

40.0% of students at Ranchos 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,647/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Madera). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
405
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Madera County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Golden Valley Unified
District Enrollment
2,774
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,158
District Rank
#1 of 7

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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