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Below Average

#8093 of 9,533 schools in CA

Sam Brannan Middle

Middle School · Sacramento City Unified

5301 Elmer Way, Sacramento, CA 95822

Enrollment

377

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

4.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sacramento

#155 of 196

public schools

California middle schools

#1,202 of 1,349

In district

#60 of 71

Sacramento City Unified

About Sam Brannan Middle

Sam Brannan Middle, a regular public middle school in Sacramento, California, serves students in grades seven and eight. With an enrollment of 377 students and a student-teacher ratio of 23.6:1, the school benefits from having 16 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning community. Sam Brannan Middle is located in a large city setting, providing opportunities for students to engage with urban life and resources.

The academic performance at Sam Brannan Middle shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #8503 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 11th percentile. In terms of subject proficiency, only 27% of students are proficient or above in English language arts (ELA) and reading, while just 13% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, Sam Brannan Middle remains a part of the vibrant Sacramento community, offering its students opportunities to grow and develop within an urban setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Sam Brannan Middle 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 Progress4.8Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.6%
Math vs. State Avg-23.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,426

Sam Brannan Middle — Students at Sam Brannan Middle score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 12.8%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 27.2%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 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
20%
ELA
32%
2024
Math
10.4%
ELA
25.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Sam Brannan Middle Compares

See how Sam Brannan Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
15th percentile in CA
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

5301 Elmer Way, Sacramento, CA 95822

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sam Brannan Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sol Aureus College Preparatory (rated 8.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BROOKFIELD SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sutterville Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sacramento, see our Sacramento schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
John Cabrillo Elementary Sacramento 0.1 mi 7.3
Riverside School Inc., dba Brookfield School Sacramento 0.9 mi
BROOKFIELD SCHOOL Sacramento 0.9 mi 8.3
New Technology High Sacramento 0.9 mi 6.5
Sutterville Elementary Sacramento 0.9 mi 8.0
Alice Birney Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento 1.1 mi 6.1
HOLY SPIRIT PARISH SCHOOL Sacramento 1.1 mi 5.1
Sol Aureus College Preparatory Sacramento 1.5 mi 8.7
Caroline Wenzel Elementary Sacramento 1.7 mi 4.8
Stonegate Elementary West Sacramento 1.8 mi 7.5
Hollywood Park Elementary Sacramento 1.4 mi 7.8
Leonardo Da Vinci Sacramento 1.5 mi 7.1
Pony Express Elementary Sacramento 1.9 mi 5.2
OUR LADY OF GRACE West Sacramento 1.8 mi 5.6
Crocker/Riverside Elementary Sacramento 1.9 mi 7.0
John F. Kennedy High Sacramento 1.8 mi 6.1
St. Robert Catholic School Sacramento 1.6 mi
ST ROBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sacramento 1.6 mi 5.7
River City High West Sacramento 1.8 mi 6.0
California Middle Sacramento 2.0 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95822 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,835

Median Home Value

$438,400

Median Rent

$1,537/mo

Population

46,269

College Educated

28.1%

Homeownership

62.6%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

37.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sam Brannan Middle has a median household income of $80,835. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,400, with a median rent of $1,537/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Carquinez Middle Crockett, CA 4.7
Joseph George Middle San Jose, CA 4.7
KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory Los Angeles, CA 4.7
Mountain Empire Junior High Pine Valley, CA 4.7
Rancho Minerva Middle Vista, CA 4.7
Terrace Middle Lakeport, CA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sam Brannan Middle

What grades does Sam Brannan Middle serve?

Sam Brannan Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Sam Brannan Middle?

Sam Brannan Middle has an enrollment of approximately 377 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sam Brannan Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Sam Brannan Middle 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 Sam Brannan Middle rank in CA?

Sam Brannan Middle is ranked #8093 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sam Brannan Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sam Brannan Middle has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Sam Brannan Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sam Brannan Middle has 12.8% math proficiency and 27.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sam Brannan Middle a charter school?

No, Sam Brannan Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sam Brannan Middle a Title I school?

No, Sam Brannan Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sam Brannan Middle?

82.5% of students at Sam Brannan 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

City Safety
High (3,332/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Sacramento County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sacramento City Unified
District Enrollment
38,268
Schools in District
73
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,892
District Rank
#60 of 71

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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