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Below Average

#7524 of 9,539 schools in CA

Sierra Middle

Middle School · Bakersfield City

3017 Center St., Bakersfield, CA 93306

Enrollment

746

Student-Teacher

21.3:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,524 of 9,539

In Bakersfield

#106 of 145

public schools

In district

#26 of 44

Bakersfield City

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Sierra Middle

4.8/10

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

Ramon Garza Elementary

5.0/10

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

Horace Mann Elementary

5.5/10

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

About Sierra Middle

Sierra Middle is a public middle school in Bakersfield, CA, part of Bakersfield City. Sierra Middle serves approximately 746 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Sierra Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #7,524 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Sierra Middle show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Sierra Middle runs 21.3:1 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 Progress3.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-28.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,155
Chronic Absenteeism28%

Sierra Middle — Students at Sierra Middle score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 30.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 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
29%
ELA
28%
2010
Math
34%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
41%
ELA
36%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
35%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
11%
ELA
25%
2016
Math
9%
ELA
20%
2017
Math
14%
ELA
23%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
4.6%
ELA
21.5%
2024
Math
5.3%
ELA
24.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.9/10.

How Sierra Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
21th percentile in CA
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.0%

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

3017 Center St., Bakersfield, CA 93306

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chipman Junior High (rated 5.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Compton Junior High (rated 4.6/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Ramon Garza Elementary Bakersfield 0.1 mi 5.0
Horace Mann Elementary Bakersfield 0.5 mi 5.5
Virginia Avenue Elementary Bakersfield 0.7 mi 7.3
BETHEL CHRISTIAN Bakersfield 0.8 mi 6.0
Pioneer Drive Elementary Bakersfield 0.9 mi 5.7
East Bakersfield High Bakersfield 1.0 mi 5.7
Compton Junior High Bakersfield 1.3 mi 4.6
Harding Elementary Bakersfield 1.3 mi 4.4
Mt. Vernon Elementary Bakersfield 1.1 mi 3.6
Bakersfield Adventist Academy Bakersfield 1.4 mi
BAKERSFIELD ADVENTIST ACADEMY Bakersfield 1.4 mi 6.0
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Bakersfield 1.5 mi 5.8
Tierra Del Sol Continuation High Bakersfield 1.8 mi 4.3
Williams Elementary Bakersfield 1.5 mi 3.7
NIGRITIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield 1.9 mi
Zephyr Lane Elementary Bakersfield 2.0 mi 7.4
Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary Bakersfield 2.1 mi 5.0
Henry Eissler Elementary Bakersfield 2.1 mi 5.3
College Heights Elementary Bakersfield 2.0 mi 4.0
Chipman Junior High Bakersfield 2.2 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93306 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,988

Median Home Value

$290,700

Median Rent

$1,219/mo

Population

73,370

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

20.6%

Median Age

32.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alder Middle Fontana, CA 4.8
Barbara Worth Junior High Brawley, CA 4.8
Buena Park Middle Buena Park, CA 4.8
Chemawa Middle Riverside, CA 4.8
Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs, CA 4.8
Isbell Middle Santa Paula, CA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sierra Middle

What grades does Sierra Middle serve?

Sierra Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sierra Middle?

Sierra Middle has an enrollment of approximately 746 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Middle is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sierra Middle rank in CA?

Sierra Middle ranks #7,524 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Sierra Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Sierra Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sierra Middle has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Sierra Middle a charter school?

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

Is Sierra Middle a Title I school?

No, Sierra Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

96.1% of students at Sierra 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
60 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
746
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Kern County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.0%

District

Bakersfield City
District Enrollment
28,761
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,155
District Rank
#26 of 44

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