Very Good
#3281 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 34% in state
Sussman (edward A.) Middle
Middle School · Downey Unified
12500 Birchdale Ave., Downey, CA 90242
Enrollment
1,218
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,218
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Downey
#7 of 23
public schools
California middle schools
#447 of 1,349
In district
#6 of 20
Downey Unified
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Sussman (edward A.) Middle
Edward A. Sussman Middle School serves 1,218 students in grades 6-8 in Downey, California, operating as a regular public school with 54 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks in the 50th percentile statewide at #4,835 among California's 9,566 schools.
Academically, Sussman Middle shows room for growth, with 44% of students performing proficiently or above in English Language Arts and 28% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics across all tested grade levels. The school maintains a moderate academic score of 5.6 out of 10, indicating opportunities for continued student development and achievement improvement. The school draws families from the 90242 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $81,448 and the median home value is $634,800.
This community of 41,685 residents has a poverty rate of 8.8%, with 23% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a working-class suburban neighborhood with economic stability. Edward A. Sussman Middle School sits in Downey's large suburban landscape, serving families in an established residential community in Los Angeles County.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Sussman (edward A.) Middle is 22.6:1, 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
Sussman (edward A.) Middle — Students at Sussman (edward A.) Middle score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.5%
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: 7.6/10.
How Sussman (edward A.) Middle Compares
See how Sussman (edward A.) Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 28.44% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 43% (2019) to 43.59% (2024).
Location
12500 Birchdale Ave., Downey, CA 90242
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sussman (edward A.) Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST PIUS X - ST. MATTHIAS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Harry Wirtz Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Paramount), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Carpenter (C. C.) Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Downey, see our Downey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ward (E. W.) Elementary Downey | 0.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Alameda Elementary Downey | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Imperial Elementary Downey | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| ST RAYMOND SCHOOL Downey | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Carpenter (C. C.) Elementary Downey | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Warren (Earl) High Downey | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Lewis (Ed C.) Elementary Downey | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| ST DOMINIC SAVIO SCHOOL Bellflower | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Gauldin (A.L.) Elementary Downey | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| St. Dominic Savio Bellflower | 1.2 mi | — |
| RANCHO LOS AMIGOS CHILDRENS CENTER Downey | 1.2 mi | — |
| Theodore Roosevelt Paramount | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| St. Pius X St. Matthias Academy Downey | 1.2 mi | — |
| ST JOHN BOSCO Bellflower | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| ST PIUS-ST. MATTHIAS ACADEMY Downy | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| ST PIUS X - ST. MATTHIAS HIGH SCHOOL Downey | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| KID TOWN USA PRESCHOOL-MONTESSORI ACADEMY South Gate | 1.3 mi | — |
| Harry Wirtz Elementary Paramount | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Albert Baxter Elementary Bellflower | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Downey High Downey | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90242 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,238
Median Home Value
$676,100
Median Rent
$1,874/mo
Population
40,983
College Educated
24.2%
Homeownership
52.4%
Avg Commute
29.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sussman (edward A.) Middle has a median household income of $83,238. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $676,100, with a median rent of $1,874/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams (J. Douglas) Middle Brentwood, CA | 7.0 |
| Bidwell Junior High Chico, CA | 7.0 |
| California Middle Sacramento, CA | 7.0 |
| Chester W. Nimitz Middle Huntington Park, CA | 7.0 |
| Dale Junior High Anaheim, CA | 7.0 |
| East Whittier Middle Whittier, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sussman (edward A.) Middle
What grades does Sussman (edward A.) Middle serve?
Sussman (edward A.) Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Sussman (edward A.) Middle?
Sussman (edward A.) Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,218 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sussman (edward A.) Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Sussman (edward A.) 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 Sussman (edward A.) Middle rank in CA?
Sussman (edward A.) Middle is ranked #3281 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sussman (edward A.) Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Sussman (edward A.) 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 Sussman (edward A.) Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sussman (edward A.) Middle has 29.1% math proficiency and 43.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sussman (edward A.) Middle a charter school?
No, Sussman (edward A.) Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sussman (edward A.) Middle a Title I school?
No, Sussman (edward A.) Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sussman (edward A.) Middle?
74.5% of students at Sussman (edward A.) 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,218
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (562) 904-3572
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Downey Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,421
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,173
- District Rank
- #6 of 20
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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