Average
#4693 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 49% in state
Sierra Middle
Middle School · Riverside Unified
4950 Central Ave., Riverside, CA 92504
Enrollment
835
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
835
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Riverside
#29 of 78
public schools
California middle schools
#678 of 1,349
In district
#16 of 48
Riverside Unified
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Sierra Middle
Sierra Middle serves students in grades seven and eight in Riverside, located at 4950 Central Avenue. The school enrolls 835 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.6 to 1, supported by 37 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Sierra Middle is working with room for growth.
State assessments show that 31 percent of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 19 percent meet proficiency benchmarks in math across the grade levels served. The school ranks in the 38th percentile statewide and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10, reflecting significant opportunities for academic improvement and student development. As a regular public middle school in a large city setting, Sierra Middle is part of Riverside's educational landscape, serving the community's sixth through eighth grade students.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Middle is 22.6:1, 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 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.8%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.3/10.
How Sierra Middle Compares
See how Sierra Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 21% (2019) to 22.55% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 36.74% (2024).
Location
4950 Central Ave., Riverside, CA 92504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sierra Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pachappa Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Magnolia Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, RIVERSIDE MONTESSORI ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Riverside, see our Riverside schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain View Elementary Riverside | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Ramona High Riverside | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary Riverside | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Madison Elementary Riverside | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Saint Catherine of Alexandria School Riverside | 0.9 mi | — |
| ST CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA SCHOOL Riverside | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| GROWING PLACE Riverside | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Riverside | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| RIVERSIDE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Riverside | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| WOODCREST CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Riverside | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Magnolia Elementary Riverside | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Pachappa Elementary Riverside | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Adams Elementary Riverside | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Monroe Elementary Riverside | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| RIVERSIDE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Riverside | 1.7 mi | 3.6 |
| California School for the Deaf-Riverside Riverside | 1.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Central Middle Riverside | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Peralta Elementary Jurupa Valley | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Washington Elementary Riverside | 2.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Opportunity Program Riverside | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,168
Median Home Value
$501,800
Median Rent
$1,758/mo
Population
57,085
College Educated
21.1%
Homeownership
63.4%
Avg Commute
31.4 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
36.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sierra Middle has a median household income of $88,168. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $501,800, with a median rent of $1,758/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Arrowview Middle San Bernardino, CA | 6.4 |
| Bear Valley Middle Escondido, CA | 6.4 |
| Casimir Middle Torrance, CA | 6.4 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle San Bernardino, CA | 6.4 |
| Compton Junior High Bakersfield, CA | 6.4 |
| Corvallis Middle Norwalk, CA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sierra Middle
What grades does Sierra Middle serve?
Sierra Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Sierra Middle?
Sierra Middle has an enrollment of approximately 835 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Middle is 22.6:1. 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 #4693 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sierra Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Sierra Middle has a composite rating of 6.4 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 18.7% math proficiency and 31.2% 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?
57.8% 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 (3,451/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Riverside). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 835
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (951) 788-7501
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Riverside Unified- District Enrollment
- 38,855
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,005
- District Rank
- #16 of 48
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.
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