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Average

#4228 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 44% in state

South Lake Middle

Middle School · Irvine Unified

655 West Yale Loop, Irvine, CA 92614

Enrollment

668

Student-Teacher

23.9:1

Score

6.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,228 of 9,539

In Irvine

#34 of 47

public schools

In district

#30 of 43

Irvine Unified

Equity

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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South Lake Middle

6.7/10

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

Meadow Park Elementary

6.3/10

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

Rancho San Joaquin Middle

7.9/10

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

About South Lake Middle

South Lake Middle is a public middle school in Irvine, CA, part of Irvine Unified. South Lake Middle serves approximately 668 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 23.9:1 student-teacher ratio. South Lake Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #4,228 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for South Lake Middle show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 7.6
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

South Lake Middle runs 23.9:1 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 Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+25.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.4 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment5.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,405
Chronic Absenteeism14.4%

South Lake Middle — Students at South Lake Middle score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 68.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 74.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 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
76%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
71%
ELA
71%
2015
Math
70%
ELA
71%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
70%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
71%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
51.9%
ELA
64.4%
2024
Math
59.1%
ELA
72.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.

How South Lake Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

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

655 West Yale Loop, Irvine, CA 92614

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Lake Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rancho San Joaquin Middle (rated 7.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Woodbridge High (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Irvine, see our Irvine schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Meadow Park Elementary Irvine 0.2 mi 6.3
Rancho San Joaquin Middle Irvine 0.4 mi 7.9
JENNY HART EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Irvine 0.6 mi
Woodbridge High Irvine 0.7 mi 7.1
Springbrook Elementary Irvine 0.6 mi 6.4
Woodbridge Children's School Irvine 0.7 mi
PACIFIC ACADEMY Irvine 0.7 mi 7.0
Renascence School International Irvine 0.8 mi
University Park Elementary Irvine 0.8 mi 6.2
Westpark Montessori School of Irvine Irvine 0.8 mi
WESTPARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE Irvine 0.8 mi
Irvine Adult Transition Programs Irvine 0.9 mi
Village Montessori School of Irvine Irvine 0.8 mi
VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE Irvine 0.8 mi 7.3
Mary lou Academy Irvine 0.9 mi
LEPORT MONTESSORI IRVINE MANDARIN Irvine 0.9 mi
AStudent Academy Irvine 1.0 mi
Novel Prep Irvine 1.0 mi
Culverdale Elementary Irvine 0.9 mi 6.6
Stone Creek Elementary Irvine 1.2 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92614 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$121,276

Median Home Value

$983,100

Median Rent

$2,773/mo

Population

29,617

College Educated

67.2%

Homeownership

35.8%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

33.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Berendo Middle Los Angeles, CA 6.7
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle Costa Mesa, CA 6.7
Charlotte Wood Middle Danville, CA 6.7
Cucamonga Middle Rancho Cucamonga, CA 6.7
Del Dios Academy of Arts and Sciences Escondido, CA 6.7
Evergreen Middle Cottonwood, CA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Lake Middle

What grades does South Lake Middle serve?

South Lake Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend South Lake Middle?

South Lake Middle has an enrollment of approximately 668 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Lake Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at South Lake Middle is 23.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Lake Middle rank in CA?

South Lake Middle ranks #4,228 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is South Lake Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

South Lake Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 South Lake Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Lake Middle has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is South Lake Middle a charter school?

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

Is South Lake Middle a Title I school?

No, South Lake Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

34.7% of students at South Lake 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
31 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
668
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

District

Irvine Unified
District Enrollment
37,731
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,405
District Rank
#30 of 43

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