Average
#6381 of 9,533 schools in CA
Sierra Middle
Middle School · Bakersfield City
3017 Center St., Bakersfield, CA 93306
Enrollment
746
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
746
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#64 of 145
public schools
California middle schools
#941 of 1,349
In district
#17 of 44
Bakersfield City
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Sierra Middle
Sierra Middle serves students in grades 6 through 8 in Bakersfield, located in a large suburban area. The school enrolls 746 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.3:1, supported by 35 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Sierra Middle is working to strengthen student performance.
Currently, 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 7% meet proficiency standards in Math. The school has received a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 10th percentile statewide, indicating significant room for academic growth and improvement. For families considering Sierra Middle, it's worth having a direct conversation with school leadership about their specific initiatives and support systems, as test scores suggest the school is navigating notable challenges.
Understanding the school's improvement plans and available resources for struggling students can help you make an informed decision about whether this environment matches your child's needs and your family's expectations.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Sierra Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Middle is 21.3:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sierra Middle — Students at Sierra Middle score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.
How Sierra Middle Compares
See how Sierra Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 5.82% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 24.31% (2024).
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 7.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Compton Junior High (rated 6.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.1 |
| Horace Mann Elementary Bakersfield | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Virginia Avenue Elementary Bakersfield | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN Bakersfield | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Pioneer Drive Elementary Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| East Bakersfield High Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Compton Junior High Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Harding Elementary Bakersfield | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Mt. Vernon Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| Williams Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| NIGRITIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | — |
| Zephyr Lane Elementary Bakersfield | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary Bakersfield | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Henry Eissler Elementary Bakersfield | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| College Heights Elementary Bakersfield | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Chipman Junior High Bakersfield | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sierra Middle has a median household income of $66,988. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,700, with a median rent of $1,219/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Bonita Vista Middle Chula Vista, CA | 5.6 |
| Borel Middle San Mateo, CA | 5.6 |
| Bryant Middle Dos Palos, CA | 5.6 |
| Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle East Palo Alto, CA | 5.6 |
| Cherry Avenue Middle Tulare, CA | 5.6 |
| Columbia Middle Adelanto, CA | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #6381 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sierra Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Sierra Middle has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Sierra Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sierra Middle has 6.7% math proficiency and 24.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,028/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (661) 631-5470
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #17 of 44
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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