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Below Average

#7877 of 9,539 schools in CA

Sierra Middle

Middle School · Riverside Unified

4950 Central Ave., Riverside, CA 92504

Enrollment

835

Student-Teacher

22.6:1

Score

4.6

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,877 of 9,539

In Riverside

#66 of 78

public schools

In district

#42 of 48

Riverside Unified

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Sierra Middle

4.6/10

Middle School in Riverside · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mountain View Elementary

5.5/10

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

Ramona High

5.7/10

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

About Sierra Middle

Sierra Middle is a public middle school in Riverside, CA, part of Riverside Unified. Sierra Middle serves approximately 835 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 22.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Sierra Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #7,877 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Sierra Middle show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Sierra Middle runs 22.6:1 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 Progress3.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-11.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,005
Chronic Absenteeism28.9%

Sierra Middle — Students at Sierra Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 37.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 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
33%
ELA
43%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
23%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
21%
ELA
31%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
34.4%
2024
Math
22.5%
ELA
36.7%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Sierra Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
17th percentile in CA
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.9%

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

4950 Central Ave., Riverside, CA 92504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. RIVERSIDE MONTESSORI ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GROWING PLACE (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably 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 5.5
Ramona High Riverside 0.9 mi 5.7
Jefferson Elementary Riverside 0.8 mi 4.2
Madison Elementary Riverside 1.0 mi 5.0
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 6.0
Pachappa Elementary Riverside 1.4 mi 6.1
Adams Elementary Riverside 1.5 mi 4.6
Monroe Elementary Riverside 1.7 mi 5.3
RIVERSIDE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Riverside 1.7 mi 3.6
California School for the Deaf-Riverside Riverside 1.8 mi 5.0
Central Middle Riverside 2.0 mi 4.6
Peralta Elementary Jurupa Valley 2.1 mi 5.3
Washington Elementary Riverside 2.0 mi 3.8
Opportunity Program Riverside 2.0 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Castle Park Middle Chula Vista, CA 4.6
Central Middle Riverside, CA 4.6
Cesar E. Chavez Middle Watsonville, CA 4.6
Compton Junior High Bakersfield, CA 4.6
Delta Sierra Middle Stockton, CA 4.6
Francisco Sepulveda Middle North Hills, CA 4.6

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 ranks #7,877 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Sierra Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% 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?

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.9%

District

Riverside Unified
District Enrollment
38,855
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,005
District Rank
#42 of 48

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