Very Good
#3455 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 36% 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
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3,455 of 9,539
In Downey
#8 of 23
public schools
In district
#8 of 20
Downey Unified
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Sussman (edward A.) Middle
Middle School in Downey · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ward (e. W.) Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Alameda Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sussman (edward A.) Middle
Sussman (edward A.) Middle is a public middle school in Downey, CA, part of Downey Unified. Sussman (edward A.) Middle serves approximately 1,218 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 22.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Sussman (edward A.) Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #3,455 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Sussman (edward A.) Middle show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- District avg 6.8
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Sussman (edward A.) Middle runs 22.6:1 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 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 32 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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Downey High (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST PIUS X - ST. MATTHIAS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lewis (Ed C.) Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 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 | 5.3 |
| Alameda Elementary Downey | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Imperial Elementary Downey | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| ST RAYMOND SCHOOL Downey | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Carpenter (C. C.) Elementary Downey | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Warren (Earl) High Downey | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Lewis (Ed C.) Elementary Downey | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| ST DOMINIC SAVIO SCHOOL Bellflower | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Gauldin (A.L.) Elementary Downey | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| St. Dominic Savio Bellflower | 1.2 mi | — |
| RANCHO LOS AMIGOS CHILDRENS CENTER Downey | 1.2 mi | — |
| Theodore Roosevelt Paramount | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| Albert Baxter Elementary Bellflower | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Downey High Downey | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beattie Middle Highland, CA | 7.0 |
| Dorothy McElhinney Middle Murrieta, CA | 7.0 |
| Etiwanda Intermediate Etiwanda, CA | 7.0 |
| Glen Edwards Middle Lincoln, CA | 7.0 |
| Gonzalo Felicitas Mendez Fundamental Intermediate Santa Ana, CA | 7.0 |
| Harriet G. Eddy Middle Elk Grove, 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 ranks #3,455 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Sussman (edward A.) Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Sussman (edward A.) Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Sussman (edward A.) Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sussman (edward A.) Middle has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.2%
- Phone
- (562) 904-3572
Resources & Links
District
Downey Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,421
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,173
- District Rank
- #8 of 20
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