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Excellent

#125 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 1% in state

Sam H. Lawson Middle

Middle School · Cupertino Union

10401 Vista Dr., Cupertino, CA 95014

Enrollment

834

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

9.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#125 of 9,539

In Cupertino

#3 of 13

public schools

In district

#4 of 23

Cupertino Union

Equity

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Sam H. Lawson Middle

9.2/10

Middle School in Cupertino · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Joseph of Cupertino Elementary School

6.7/10

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

L. P. Collins Elementary

7.9/10

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

About Sam H. Lawson Middle

Sam H. Lawson Middle is a public middle school in Cupertino, CA, part of Cupertino Union. Sam H.

Lawson Middle serves approximately 834 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Sam H. Lawson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #125 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Sam H. Lawson Middle show 88% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 9.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 9.3
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Sam H. Lawson Middle runs 20.3:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency86.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+52.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+40.5 pts
Overall Proficiency87% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+21.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,193
Chronic Absenteeism4%

Sam H. Lawson Middle — Students at Sam H. Lawson Middle score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 88.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 87.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
94%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
94%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
88%
ELA
88%
2015
Math
91%
ELA
89%
2016
Math
91%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
91%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
85%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
85%
2020*
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
86.5%
ELA
87.8%
2024
Math
86.7%
ELA
86.4%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Sam H. Lawson Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
9.2/10
99th percentile in CA
Academic
9.8/10
Excellent
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
4.0%

Location

10401 Vista Dr., Cupertino, CA 95014

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sam H. Lawson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cupertino High (rated 9.3/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Homestead High (rated 8.8/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, C. B. Eaton Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cupertino, see our Cupertino schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cupertino 0.3 mi 6.7
L. P. Collins Elementary Cupertino 0.3 mi 7.9
St. Joseph Cupertino Cupertino 0.4 mi
Fusion Academy - Cupertino Cupertino 0.7 mi
FUSION ACADEMY CUPERTINO Cupertino 0.7 mi 7.7
C. B. Eaton Elementary Cupertino 1.0 mi 8.6
William Faria Elementary Cupertino 0.9 mi 7.9
AI Innovation Academy Cupertino 0.9 mi
Louis E. Stocklmeir Elementary Sunnyvale 1.1 mi 7.5
Garden Gate Elementary Cupertino 1.0 mi 7.5
RISE, dba Rossinca Academy Cupertino 1.1 mi
7EDU Global Academy Cupertino 1.2 mi
Leadways School Cupertino 1.2 mi
Cupertino High Cupertino 1.1 mi 9.3
HAPPY ACADEMY San Jose 1.4 mi
Chester W. Nimitz Elementary Sunnyvale 1.4 mi 8.0
Axcellent Academy San Jose 1.5 mi
Brains Academy San Jose 1.5 mi
DELOR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Sunnyvale 1.4 mi
Homestead High Cupertino 1.3 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95014 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$229,074

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$3,501/mo

Population

61,109

College Educated

83%

Homeownership

59.4%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

40.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bowditch Middle Foster City, CA 9.2
Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle Palo Alto, CA 9.2
Garvey (Richard) Intermediate Rosemead, CA 9.2
North Star Academy Redwood City, CA 9.2
Ralston Intermediate Belmont, CA 9.2
Hillview Middle Menlo Park, CA 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sam H. Lawson Middle

What grades does Sam H. Lawson Middle serve?

Sam H. Lawson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sam H. Lawson Middle?

Sam H. Lawson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 834 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sam H. Lawson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Sam H. Lawson Middle is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sam H. Lawson Middle rank in CA?

Sam H. Lawson Middle ranks #125 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Sam H. Lawson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sam H. Lawson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 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 H. Lawson Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sam H. Lawson Middle has 88% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Sam H. Lawson Middle a charter school?

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

Is Sam H. Lawson Middle a Title I school?

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

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sam H. Lawson Middle?

16.3% of students at Sam H. Lawson 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
59 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
75 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
834
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Santa Clara County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
4.0%

District

Cupertino Union
District Enrollment
13,587
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,193
District Rank
#4 of 23

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