Very Good
#1944 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 20% in state
South Pasadena Middle
Middle School · South Pasadena Unified
1500 Fair Oaks, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Enrollment
1,099
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,099
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In South Pasadena
#3 of 5
public schools
California middle schools
#226 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 5
South Pasadena Unified
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About South Pasadena Middle
South Pasadena Middle serves 1,099 students in grades 6 through 8 in this affluent Los Angeles County community. With 48 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.9:1, providing a solid educational environment for middle school students navigating this critical academic transition. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.7 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 96th percentile statewide at #413 out of 9,566 California schools.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 80% achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels. This strong academic foundation reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for high school success. South Pasadena Middle draws from a highly educated community where 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $127,882.
The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 4.8% and median home values of $1,453,500 reflect the area's economic stability and investment in education. Located on Fair Oaks Avenue in this well-established suburban community of 26,583 residents, South Pasadena Middle benefits from strong community support and resources that enhance the educational experience for students during these formative middle school years.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at South Pasadena Middle is 22.9:1, 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 Pasadena Middle — Students at South Pasadena Middle score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.2%
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.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.
How South Pasadena Middle Compares
See how South Pasadena Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 78% (2019) to 79.56% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 80.48% (2024).
Location
1500 Fair Oaks, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Pasadena Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sierra Vista Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Los Angeles), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blair High (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Pasadena), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BELL TOWER TRILINGUAL SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Alhambra), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in South Pasadena, see our South Pasadena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$128,105
Median Home Value
$1,545,100
Median Rent
$2,218/mo
Population
26,297
College Educated
72.7%
Homeownership
44%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Median Age
40.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Pasadena Middle has a median household income of $128,105. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,545,100, with a median rent of $2,218/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Fulton (Harry C.) Middle Fountain Valley, CA | 7.7 |
| George K. Porter Middle Granada Hills, CA | 7.7 |
| Los Angeles Academy Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.7 |
| Richard Henry Dana Middle San Pedro, CA | 7.7 |
| Thomas A. Edison Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.7 |
| Union Middle San Jose, CA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Pasadena Middle
What grades does South Pasadena Middle serve?
South Pasadena Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Pasadena Middle?
South Pasadena Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,099 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Pasadena Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South Pasadena Middle is 22.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Pasadena Middle rank in CA?
South Pasadena Middle is ranked #1944 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is South Pasadena Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
South Pasadena Middle has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Pasadena Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Pasadena Middle has 79.2% math proficiency and 81.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Pasadena Middle a charter school?
No, South Pasadena Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Pasadena Middle a Title I school?
No, South Pasadena Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Pasadena Middle?
18.2% of students at South Pasadena 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
- 56 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 54 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 65 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,743/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (South Pasadena). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,099
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (626) 441-5830
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Pasadena Unified- District Enrollment
- 4,687
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,404
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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