Average
#5512 of 9,533 schools in CA
South Valley Middle
Middle School · Gilroy Unified
7881 Murray Ave., Gilroy, CA 95020
Enrollment
749
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
749
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gilroy
#3 of 14
public schools
California middle schools
#806 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 14
Gilroy Unified
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About South Valley Middle
South Valley Middle serves grades 6–8 in Gilroy, a mid-size suburb in Santa Clara County. The school enrolls 749 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.7 to 1, supported by 33 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, South Valley Middle is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.
In English language arts, 36% of students perform at proficient level or above, while 27% meet proficiency benchmarks in mathematics. The school ranks in the 36th percentile statewide and holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.5 out of 10, indicating room for academic growth and development. These metrics suggest that South Valley Middle is focusing on building foundational skills and supporting students as they progress through their middle school years.
The school's location on Murray Avenue places it within Gilroy's suburban community, where families have access to a range of local resources and neighborhood amenities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at South Valley Middle is 22.7:1, 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 Valley Middle — Students at South Valley Middle score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.3%
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: 7.1/10.
How South Valley Middle Compares
See how South Valley Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 26.45% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 35.92% (2024).
Location
7881 Murray Ave., Gilroy, CA 95020
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Valley Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Brownell Middle (rated 6.1/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Solorsano Middle (rated 5.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Gilroy, see our Gilroy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gilroy Prep (a Navigator School) Hollister | 0.2 mi | 4.0 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Gilroy | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| St. Mary, Gilroy Gilroy | 0.4 mi | — |
| Eliot Elementary Gilroy | 0.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Brownell Middle Gilroy | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Glen View Elementary Gilroy | 1.2 mi | 3.6 |
| El Roble Elementary Gilroy | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Gilroy High Gilroy | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Rod Kelley Elementary Gilroy | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Mt. Madonna High Gilroy | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Las Animas Elementary Gilroy | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Solorsano Middle Gilroy | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Luigi Aprea Elementary Gilroy | 2.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Christopher High Gilroy | 2.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Rucker Elementary Gilroy | 2.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy Gilroy | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Pacific Point Christian Schools Gilroy | 2.7 mi | — |
| PACIFIC POINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gilroy | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| San Martin Gwinn Environmental Science Academy San Martin | 5.5 mi | 6.1 |
| SPRING ACADEMY Gilroy | 5.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95020 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$134,242
Median Home Value
$1,005,600
Median Rent
$2,256/mo
Population
67,945
College Educated
27.9%
Homeownership
64.2%
Avg Commute
34.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Valley Middle has a median household income of $134,242. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,005,600, with a median rent of $2,256/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Alder Middle Fontana, CA | 6.0 |
| Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad, CA | 6.0 |
| Edison Middle Bakersfield, CA | 6.0 |
| Edna Hill Middle Brentwood, CA | 6.0 |
| Fruitvale Junior High Bakersfield, CA | 6.0 |
| George T. Egling Middle Colusa, CA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Valley Middle
What grades does South Valley Middle serve?
South Valley Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Valley Middle?
South Valley Middle has an enrollment of approximately 749 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Valley Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South Valley Middle is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Valley Middle rank in CA?
South Valley Middle is ranked #5512 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is South Valley Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
South Valley Middle has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Valley Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Valley Middle has 27.2% math proficiency and 36.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Valley Middle a charter school?
No, South Valley Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Valley Middle a Title I school?
No, South Valley Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Valley Middle?
55.3% of students at South Valley 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 (2,673/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gilroy). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 749
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Phone
- (669) 205-5200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gilroy Unified- District Enrollment
- 10,244
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,984
- District Rank
- #3 of 14
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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