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#5320 of 9,539 schools in CA

Reef Sunset Middle

Middle School · Reef-Sunset Unified

608 North First Ave., Avenal, CA 93204

Enrollment

562

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,320 of 9,539

In Avenal

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#1 of 5

Reef-Sunset Unified

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Reef Sunset Middle

6.1/10

Middle School in Avenal · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Avenal Elementary

4.9/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Avenal High

5.4/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Reef Sunset Middle

Reef Sunset Middle is a public middle school in Avenal, CA, part of Reef-Sunset Unified. Reef Sunset Middle serves approximately 562 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Reef Sunset Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #5,320 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Reef Sunset Middle show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below CA schools
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Reef Sunset Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Reef Sunset Middle runs 21.6:1 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.

Reef Sunset Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.97 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-27.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.8 pts
Overall Proficiency12% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,468
Chronic Absenteeism21.4%

Reef Sunset Middle — Students at Reef Sunset Middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 13.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 20.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
26%
ELA
23%
2010
Math
31%
ELA
27%
2011
Math
26%
ELA
26%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
19%
2014
Math
14%
ELA
16%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
21%
2017
Math
14%
ELA
21%
2018
Math
14%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
14%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
4%
ELA
14%
2021*
Math
4%
ELA
14%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
20.4%
2024
Math
7.1%
ELA
17.1%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Reef Sunset Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
44th percentile in CA
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.4%

Location

608 North First Ave., Avenal, CA 93204

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Reef Sunset Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Coalinga Middle (rated 5.2/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Coalinga), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Huron Middle (rated 4.5/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Huron), a more accessible option. For more schools in Avenal, see our Avenal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Avenal Elementary Avenal 0.5 mi 4.9
Avenal High Avenal 0.5 mi 5.4
Sunrise High (Continuation) Avenal 0.8 mi
Reef-Sunset Secondary Community Day Avenal 0.8 mi
Tamarack Elementary Avenal 1.2 mi 4.8
Kettleman City Elementary Kettleman City 9.9 mi 5.8
Huron Middle Huron 13.1 mi 4.5
Huron Elementary Huron 13.8 mi 4.7
Chesnut High (Continuation) Coalinga 13.8 mi 3.3
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Coalinga 15.2 mi 4.6
Cambridge High Coalinga 15.5 mi 5.6
Coalinga High Coalinga 15.5 mi 5.8
Annie E. Cheney Kindergarten Coalinga 15.5 mi 6.8
Coalinga Middle Coalinga 15.7 mi 5.2
Sunset Elementary Coalinga 15.6 mi 3.8
Nell Dawson Elementary Coalinga 15.7 mi 3.8
Miles W. Culwell Community Day Coalinga 15.8 mi
Henry F. Bishop Elementary Coalinga 15.8 mi 5.6
Parkfield Elementary San Miguel 18.2 mi
R. J. Neutra Lemoore 22.3 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,986

Median Home Value

$224,800

Median Rent

$1,060/mo

Population

13,441

College Educated

4.4%

Homeownership

44.8%

Avg Commute

31.2 min

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

32.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Anacapa Middle Ventura, CA 6.1
Benjamin Franklin Intermediate Colma, CA 6.1
Bret Harte Middle Hayward, CA 6.1
Bret Harte Preparatory Middle Los Angeles, CA 6.1
Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry Elementary San Bernardino, CA 6.1
Edison Middle Bakersfield, CA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Reef Sunset Middle

What grades does Reef Sunset Middle serve?

Reef Sunset Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Reef Sunset Middle?

Reef Sunset Middle has an enrollment of approximately 562 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Reef Sunset Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Reef Sunset Middle is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Reef Sunset Middle rank in CA?

Reef Sunset Middle ranks #5,320 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Reef Sunset Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Reef Sunset Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Reef Sunset Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Reef Sunset Middle has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Reef Sunset Middle a charter school?

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

Is Reef Sunset Middle a Title I school?

No, Reef Sunset Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

97.3% of students at Reef Sunset 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kings County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.4%

District

Reef-Sunset Unified
District Enrollment
2,687
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,468
District Rank
#1 of 5

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