Very Good
#3422 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 36% in state
South Lake Middle
Middle School · Irvine Unified
655 West Yale Loop, Irvine, CA 92614
Enrollment
668
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
668
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Irvine
#15 of 47
public schools
California middle schools
#479 of 1,349
In district
#13 of 43
Irvine Unified
Equity
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About South Lake Middle
South Lake Middle serves 668 students in grades 7-8 in Irvine, California, earning strong recognition as one of the top-performing middle schools in the state. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking in the 85th percentile statewide at #1,432 out of 9,566 California schools, the school demonstrates solid academic achievement across its programs. Students benefit from a student-teacher ratio of 23.9:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers guiding their educational journey.
Academic performance is particularly strong in English Language Arts, where 73% of students score proficient or above, while mathematics shows 59% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing middle schoolers for high school success. The school draws from a well-educated community in ZIP code 92614, where 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $109,475.
This affluent neighborhood, with median home values around $912,300, supports a college-going culture that aligns with the school's academic focus. Located on West Yale Loop in Orange County, South Lake Middle operates within Irvine's carefully planned community, known for its family-friendly environment and emphasis on educational excellence.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at South Lake Middle is 23.9:1, 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
South Lake Middle — Students at South Lake Middle score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.
How South Lake Middle Compares
See how South Lake Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 59.12% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 71% (2019) to 72.67% (2024).
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. Meadow Park Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Culverdale Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.6 |
| Rancho San Joaquin Middle Irvine | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| JENNY HART EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Irvine | 0.6 mi | — |
| Woodbridge High Irvine | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Springbrook Elementary Irvine | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| 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 | 7.5 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Lake Middle has a median household income of $121,276. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $983,100, with a median rent of $2,773/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Andrew Carnegie Middle Orangevale, CA | 7.0 |
| Big Bear Middle Big Bear Lake, CA | 7.0 |
| Bohannon Middle San Lorenzo, CA | 7.0 |
| Bret Harte Middle Hayward, CA | 7.0 |
| Bret Harte Preparatory Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.0 |
| California Middle Sacramento, CA | 7.0 |
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 is ranked #3422 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is South Lake Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
South Lake Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 South Lake Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Lake Middle has 60.6% math proficiency and 72.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 31 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 33 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 64 Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,479/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Irvine). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (949) 936-6700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Irvine Unified- District Enrollment
- 37,731
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,405
- District Rank
- #13 of 43
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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