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
Enrollment
1,110
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rio Norte Junior High — Students at Rio Norte Junior High score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.2%
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
↓ 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: 7.8/10.
How Rio Norte Junior High Compares
See how Rio Norte Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 52.18% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 75.92% (2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (661) 295-3700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
William S. Hart Union High- District Enrollment
- 20,685
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,278
- District Rank
- #5 of 16
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.
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