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Average

#5909 of 9,533 schools in CA

Santa Lucia Middle

Middle School · Coast Unified

2850 Schoolhouse Ln., Cambria, CA 93428

Enrollment

123

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

5.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cambria

#3 of 3

public schools

California middle schools

#863 of 1,349

In district

#3 of 3

Coast Unified

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Santa Lucia Middle

Santa Lucia Middle is a regular public school located in the rural area near Cambria, California. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 123 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1. Santa Lucia Middle boasts nine full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to guiding their students through this critical middle school phase.

The school's academic performance, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and state ranking at #4431 among 9566 schools in California (54th percentile), suggests there is room for improvement but also indicates ongoing efforts to enhance student learning outcomes. In terms of specific subject proficiency, 48% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 30% demonstrate proficiency or better in math. Santa Lucia Middle is situated in a quiet rural setting near Cambria, providing a calm environment for its middle schoolers to focus on their studies and extracurricular activities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 123 students, Santa Lucia Middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Santa Lucia Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.77 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.3%
Math vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.6 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,502

Santa Lucia Middle — Students at Santa Lucia Middle score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.1%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 47.5%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 12 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
47%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
27.9%
ELA
45.3%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Santa Lucia Middle Compares

See how Santa Lucia Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in CA
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

2850 Schoolhouse Ln., Cambria, CA 93428

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Lucia Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Monarch Grove Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 21.4 miles away, in nearby Los Osos), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morro Bay High (rated 8.6/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Morro Bay), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cayucos Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Cayucos), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cambria, see our Cambria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Cambria Grammar Cambria 0.6 mi 8.3
Spectrum Central Coast Cambria 0.6 mi
Leffingwell High (Continuation) Cambria 0.6 mi
Coast Union High Cambria 0.8 mi 6.3
Cayucos Elementary Cayucos 12.3 mi 8.4
Cappy Culver Elementary Paso Robles 16.8 mi 6.1
Del Mar Elementary Morro Bay 16.7 mi 8.2
Morro Bay High Morro Bay 17.4 mi 8.6
Vineyard Elementary Templeton 18.8 mi 5.2
Monarch Grove Elementary Los Osos 21.4 mi 8.9
Baywood Elementary Los Osos 21.2 mi 8.3
WISHING WELL SCHOOL Los Osos 22.0 mi 6.4
Central Coast Waldorf Los Osos 22.0 mi
Los Osos Middle Los Osos 21.8 mi 7.3
SANTA LUCIA SCHOOL Templeton 20.0 mi 4.9
TEMPLETON HILLS 7TH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Templeton 20.2 mi
Templeton Hills Adventist School Templeton 20.2 mi
Eagle Canyon High Templeton 20.6 mi
Templeton Independent Study High Templeton 20.6 mi 4.6
Templeton Home Templeton 20.6 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93428 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,225

Median Home Value

$869,600

Median Rent

$1,909/mo

Population

6,269

College Educated

43.8%

Homeownership

77.6%

Avg Commute

20.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

60.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Santa Lucia Middle has a median household income of $89,225. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $869,600, with a median rent of $1,909/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Ingenium Clarion Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA 5.7
Katherine Johnson STEM Academy Los Angeles, CA 5.7
LEPORT SCHOOLS - IRVINE SPECTRUM NORTH CAMPUS Irvine, CA 5.9
Petaluma Accelerated Charter Petaluma, CA 5.9
SACRED HEART NATIVTY SCHOOLS San Jose, CA 5.9
Miller's Hill Shingle Springs, CA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Lucia Middle

What grades does Santa Lucia Middle serve?

Santa Lucia Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Santa Lucia Middle?

Santa Lucia Middle has an enrollment of approximately 123 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Lucia Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Lucia Middle is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Santa Lucia Middle rank in CA?

Santa Lucia Middle is ranked #5909 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Santa Lucia Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Lucia Middle has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Santa Lucia Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Lucia Middle has 30.1% math proficiency and 47.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Santa Lucia Middle a charter school?

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

Is Santa Lucia Middle a Title I school?

No, Santa Lucia Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Lucia Middle?

83.7% of students at Santa Lucia 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

County Safety
Average (404/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
123
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
San Luis Obispo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Coast Unified
District Enrollment
489
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,611
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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