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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.7%
Math vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.2 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,030

Richard Henry Dana Middle — Students at Richard Henry Dana Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 24.1%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 35.1%
School
State
46.6%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2024
Math
24.4%
ELA
35.7%

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.

Overall Score
7.7/10
80th percentile in CA
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
66 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
San Pedro Senior High San Pedro 0.2 mi 8.6
MARY STAR OF THE SEA ELEMENTARY San Pedro 0.5 mi 5.7
Cabrillo Avenue Elementary San Pedro 0.5 mi 7.9
Leland Street Elementary San Pedro 0.5 mi 5.6
Fifteenth Street Elementary San Pedro 0.5 mi 5.6
Port of Los Angeles High San Pedro 1.0 mi 7.5
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL San Pedro 1.1 mi 7.2
Bandini Street Elementary San Pedro 1.1 mi 6.7
Point Fermin Elementary San Pedro 1.2 mi 8.1
Angel's Gate (Continuation) San Pedro 1.2 mi 6.6
Barton Hill Elementary San Pedro 1.2 mi 8.3
Ernest P. Willenberg Special Education Center San Pedro 1.1 mi 7.0
Seventh Street Elementary Arts Integration Magnet San Pedro 1.1 mi 8.9
White Point Elementary San Pedro 1.2 mi 6.0
BRIGHTER DAYS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Palos Verdes 1.5 mi
Park Western Place Elementary San Pedro 1.6 mi 7.8
Crestwood Street STEAM Magnet Rancho Palos Verdes 1.6 mi 8.2
South Shores/CSUDH Visual and Performing Arts San Pedro 1.7 mi 6.9
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Rancho Palos Verdes 2.0 mi 5.4
Christ Lutheran Church and School Rancho Palos Verdes 2.1 mi

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
86 Very Walkable
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
82 Very Bikeable
County Safety
Low (245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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