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Needs Improvement

#9258 of 9,539 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

3.1

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,258 of 9,539

In Sacramento

#186 of 198

public schools

In district

#68 of 71

Sacramento City Unified

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Sam Brannan Middle

3.1/10

Middle School in Sacramento · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

John Cabrillo Elementary

5.3/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Riverside School Inc., Dba Brookfield School

Nearby

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sam Brannan Middle

Sam Brannan Middle is a public middle school in Sacramento, CA, part of Sacramento City Unified. Sam Brannan Middle serves approximately 377 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 23.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Sam Brannan Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #9,258 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Sam Brannan Middle show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Sam Brannan Middle runs 23.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

33% of students at Sam Brannan Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-23.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,892
Chronic Absenteeism32.9%

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 30.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 39.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
53%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
49%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
51%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
58%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
31%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
31%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
10.4%
ELA
25.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.7/10.

How Sam Brannan Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
3th percentile in CA
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Leonardo Da Vinci (rated 8.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sol Aureus College Preparatory (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Crocker/Riverside Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 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 5.3
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 6.6
Sutterville Elementary Sacramento 0.9 mi 7.6
Alice Birney Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento 1.1 mi 5.3
HOLY SPIRIT PARISH SCHOOL Sacramento 1.1 mi 5.1
Sol Aureus College Preparatory Sacramento 1.5 mi 8.5
Caroline Wenzel Elementary Sacramento 1.7 mi 1.9
Stonegate Elementary West Sacramento 1.8 mi 7.3
Hollywood Park Elementary Sacramento 1.4 mi 3.4
Leonardo Da Vinci Sacramento 1.5 mi 8.6
Pony Express Elementary Sacramento 1.9 mi 5.3
OUR LADY OF GRACE West Sacramento 1.8 mi 5.5
Crocker/Riverside Elementary Sacramento 1.9 mi 8.4
John F. Kennedy High Sacramento 1.8 mi 5.3
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 7.0
California Middle Sacramento 2.0 mi 6.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arcade Fundamental Middle Sacramento, CA 3.1
TEACH Academy of Technologies Los Angeles, CA 3.1
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta, CA 3.0
Abraham Lincoln Jr. High Bakersfield, CA 3.3
California City Middle California City, CA 3.3
Barstow STEM Academy Barstow, CA 2.9

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 ranks #9,258 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Sam Brannan Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sam Brannan Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Sam Brannan Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sam Brannan Middle has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

District

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

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