Very Good
#1877 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 20% in state
Richard Henry Dana Middle
Middle School · Los Angeles Unified
1501 South Cabrillo Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731
Enrollment
1,391
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,391
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Pedro
#7 of 17
public schools
California middle schools
#221 of 1,349
In district
#363 of 769
Los Angeles Unified
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Richard Henry Dana Middle
Richard Henry Dana Middle serves 1,391 students in grades 6-8 in San Pedro, California, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1 and 66 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 40th percentile among California middle schools, with room for academic growth as it works to support student achievement. Current academic performance shows 36% of students meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and 24% in mathematics across all grade levels.
The school receives a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10, reflecting its focus on continued student development and educational improvement. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $69,019 and median home values reach $751,400. About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while 15.3% of families experience poverty, creating a mixed socioeconomic environment that presents both opportunities and challenges for the school community.
Located at 1501 South Cabrillo Avenue, Richard Henry Dana Middle sits in the heart of San Pedro, a vibrant port community within Los Angeles County. The school serves as an important educational anchor in this working-class neighborhood, where families balance the coastal charm of the Palos Verdes Peninsula area with the industrial heritage of one of America's busiest harbors.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Richard Henry Dana Middle is 21.1:1, 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
Richard Henry Dana Middle — Students at Richard Henry Dana Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How Richard Henry Dana Middle Compares
See how Richard Henry Dana Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 23% (2019) to 24.32% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 35.7% (2024).
Location
1501 South Cabrillo Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Richard Henry Dana Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Seventh Street Elementary Arts Integration Magnet (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is San Pedro Senior High (rated 8.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Barton Hill Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in San Pedro, see our San Pedro schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90731 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,936
Median Home Value
$808,800
Median Rent
$1,645/mo
Population
62,452
College Educated
25.4%
Homeownership
32.7%
Avg Commute
30.8 min
Poverty Rate
16%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richard Henry Dana Middle has a median household income of $71,936. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $808,800, with a median rent of $1,645/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. 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 |
|---|---|
| George K. Porter Middle Granada Hills, CA | 7.7 |
| Los Angeles Academy Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.7 |
| South Pasadena Middle South Pasadena, CA | 7.7 |
| Thomas A. Edison Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.7 |
| Union Middle San Jose, CA | 7.7 |
| Griffith Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richard Henry Dana Middle
What grades does Richard Henry Dana Middle serve?
Richard Henry Dana Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Richard Henry Dana Middle?
Richard Henry Dana Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,391 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Richard Henry Dana Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Richard Henry Dana Middle is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Richard Henry Dana Middle rank in CA?
Richard Henry Dana Middle is ranked #1877 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Richard Henry Dana Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Richard Henry Dana Middle has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Richard Henry Dana Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richard Henry Dana Middle has 24.1% math proficiency and 35.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Richard Henry Dana Middle a charter school?
No, Richard Henry Dana Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Richard Henry Dana Middle a Title I school?
No, Richard Henry Dana Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richard Henry Dana Middle?
77.1% of students at Richard Henry Dana 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,391
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 66
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (310) 241-1100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Los Angeles Unified- District Enrollment
- 419,929
- Schools in District
- 785
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,687
- District Rank
- #363 of 769
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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