Average
#7637 of 9,533 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
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Avenal
#3 of 4
public schools
California middle schools
#1,141 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 5
Reef-Sunset Unified
About Reef Sunset Middle
Reef Sunset Middle is a regular public middle school located in Avenal, California, in Kings County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade with an enrollment of 562 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1, ensuring that each teacher manages approximately 21 students per class. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, Reef Sunset Middle aims to provide a supportive learning environment.
The school's academic performance is currently rated at the lower end according to MySchoolScout data, with an overall rating of 2.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.7 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates, only 18% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while the math proficiency rate stands at a modest 8%. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.
Reef Sunset Middle is situated in a rural area near the town of Avenal. The setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere with opportunities for students to engage actively within their local environment, fostering connections between home and school life.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Reef Sunset Middle is 21.6:1, 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, Reef Sunset 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Reef Sunset Middle — Students at Reef Sunset Middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.1/10.
How Reef Sunset Middle Compares
See how Reef Sunset Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 7.08% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 17.08% (2024).
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. Huron Middle (rated 5.4/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Huron), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Coalinga Middle (rated 4.0/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Coalinga), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.0 |
| Avenal High Avenal | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Sunrise High (Continuation) Avenal | 0.8 mi | — |
| Reef-Sunset Secondary Community Day Avenal | 0.8 mi | — |
| Tamarack Elementary Avenal | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Kettleman City Elementary Kettleman City | 9.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Huron Middle Huron | 13.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Huron Elementary Huron | 13.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Chesnut High (Continuation) Coalinga | 13.8 mi | 4.7 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Coalinga | 15.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Cambridge High Coalinga | 15.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Coalinga High Coalinga | 15.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Annie E. Cheney Kindergarten Coalinga | 15.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Coalinga Middle Coalinga | 15.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Sunset Elementary Coalinga | 15.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Nell Dawson Elementary Coalinga | 15.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Miles W. Culwell Community Day Coalinga | 15.8 mi | — |
| Henry F. Bishop Elementary Coalinga | 15.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Parkfield Elementary San Miguel | 18.2 mi | — |
| R. J. Neutra Lemoore | 22.3 mi | 9.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Reef Sunset Middle has a median household income of $52,986. It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,800, with a median rent of $1,060/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Almeria Middle Fontana, CA | 5.0 |
| Altimira Middle Sonoma, CA | 5.0 |
| Aptos Junior High Aptos, CA | 5.0 |
| Brookhurst Junior High Anaheim, CA | 5.0 |
| CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY MIDDLE SCHOOL Chatsworth, CA | 5.0 |
| Cardozo Middle Riverbank, CA | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #7637 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Reef Sunset Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Reef Sunset Middle has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Reef Sunset Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Reef Sunset Middle has 7.7% math proficiency and 18.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (671/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Avenal). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (559) 386-4128
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Reef-Sunset Unified- District Enrollment
- 2,687
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,468
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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