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Average

#3631 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 38% in state

Rio Norte Junior High

Middle School · William S. Hart Union High

28771 Rio Norte Dr., Santa Clarita, CA 91354

Enrollment

1,110

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

6.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Clarita

#1 of 8

public schools

California middle schools

#520 of 1,349

In district

#5 of 16

William S. Hart Union High

Equity

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Rio Norte Junior High

Rio Norte Junior High serves 1,110 students in grades 7-8 in Santa Clarita, making it a substantial middle school in Los Angeles County. With 47 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.6:1, typical for a larger public middle school. Academically, Rio Norte performs well above average, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking in the 81st percentile statewide at #1,846 out of 9,566 California schools.

The school demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, where 76% of students score proficient or above across grade levels. Math performance shows 52% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating solid foundational skills with room for continued growth in mathematical reasoning. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $145,442 and 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 5% and median home values of $736,800 reflect the area's economic stability and family investment in education. Located on Rio Norte Drive in Santa Clarita's large suburban setting, the school serves families in a well-established community that values academic achievement and provides strong support for student success.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Rio Norte Junior High is 23.6:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75.9%
Math vs. State Avg+18.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.6 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,041

Rio Norte Junior High — Students at Rio Norte Junior High score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 45.6%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 63.2%
School
State
46.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
61%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
52.3%
ELA
75.9%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Rio Norte Junior High Compares

See how Rio Norte Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

28771 Rio Norte Dr., Santa Clarita, CA 91354

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rio Norte Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Charles Helmers Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Valencia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valencia High (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Valencia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tesoro del Valle Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Valencia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Clarita, see our Santa Clarita schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Tesoro del Valle Elementary Valencia 0.6 mi 8.1
West Creek Academy Valencia 0.6 mi 7.7
North Park Elementary Valencia 0.8 mi 8.0
Valencia High Valencia 1.3 mi 8.3
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Valencia 1.5 mi 6.2
Opportunities for Learning - William S. Hart Covina 1.5 mi 5.3
Alpha-Kidz International Valencia 1.5 mi
Trinity Classical Academy Santa Clarita 1.3 mi
Charles Helmers Elementary Valencia 1.6 mi 8.4
MONTESSORI ON COPPER HILL Santa Clarita 1.5 mi
MONTESSORI OF VALENCIA Valencia 1.8 mi 5.2
Arroyo Seco Junior High Valencia 1.8 mi 6.1
Santa Clarita Elementary Saugus 1.8 mi 7.4
James Foster Elementary Saugus 1.8 mi 7.3
Bridgeport Elementary Valencia 2.3 mi 6.4
Mountainview Elementary Saugus 2.2 mi 7.4
Emblem Academy Saugus 2.6 mi 7.8
Highlands Elementary Saugus 2.4 mi 7.6
Mission View Public Lancaster 3.1 mi 5.8
Saugus High Saugus 2.6 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91354 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,818

Median Home Value

$803,000

Median Rent

$2,923/mo

Population

33,059

College Educated

53.9%

Homeownership

77.7%

Avg Commute

34.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

39.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rio Norte Junior High has a median household income of $148,818. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $803,000, with a median rent of $2,923/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. 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
Abbott Middle San Mateo, CA 6.9
Adams Middle Redondo Beach, CA 6.9
Ben F. Kolb Middle Rialto, CA 6.9
Diablo Vista Middle Danville, CA 6.9
Ethel Kucera Middle Rialto, CA 6.9
Greenfield Middle Bakersfield, CA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rio Norte Junior High

What grades does Rio Norte Junior High serve?

Rio Norte Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Rio Norte Junior High?

Rio Norte Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 1,110 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rio Norte Junior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Rio Norte Junior High is 23.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rio Norte Junior High rank in CA?

Rio Norte Junior High is ranked #3631 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Rio Norte Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Rio Norte Junior High has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Rio Norte Junior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rio Norte Junior High has 45.6% math proficiency and 63.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rio Norte Junior High a charter school?

No, Rio Norte Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rio Norte Junior High a Title I school?

No, Rio Norte Junior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rio Norte Junior High?

13.2% of students at Rio Norte Junior High 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
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,352/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,110
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

William S. Hart Union High
District Enrollment
20,685
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,278
District Rank
#5 of 16

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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