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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.9Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.6%
Math vs. State Avg-6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,019

Sussman (edward A.) Middle — Students at Sussman (edward A.) Middle score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.1%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 43.5%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2024
Math
28.4%
ELA
43.6%

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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
66th percentile in CA
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
County Safety
Low (245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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