Average
#6529 of 9,533 schools in CA
Terra Cotta Middle
Middle School · Lake Elsinore Unified
29291 Lake St., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Enrollment
1,064
Student-Teacher
26.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,064
Student-Teacher
26.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Elsinore
#13 of 19
public schools
California middle schools
#975 of 1,349
In district
#16 of 24
Lake Elsinore Unified
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Terra Cotta Middle
Terra Cotta Middle serves 1,064 students in grades 6-8 in Lake Elsinore, California, operating as a regular public school in Riverside County. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26.6:1, reflecting the larger class sizes common in many California middle schools. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth in core subject areas.
In English Language Arts, 34% of students perform at proficient or above levels, while math shows 18% proficiency rates across grade levels. These results place Terra Cotta Middle in the 20th percentile statewide, ranking #7621 out of 9566 California schools, indicating significant opportunities for academic improvement. The school draws from a diverse community in the 92530 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $77,569 and median home values reach $439,500.
About 17% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 11.8% among the area's 58,249 residents. Terra Cotta Middle is situated in Lake Elsinore's large suburban setting, serving families in this growing Riverside County community that balances suburban convenience with the natural beauty of Southern California's Inland Empire region.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Terra Cotta Middle is 26.6:1, 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
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Terra Cotta Middle — Students at Terra Cotta Middle score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.
How Terra Cotta Middle Compares
See how Terra Cotta Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 17.89% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 34% (2019) to 34.17% (2024).
Location
29291 Lake St., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Terra Cotta Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Railroad Canyon Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Temescal Canyon High (rated 6.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Luiseno (rated 6.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Corona), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake Elsinore, see our Lake Elsinore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rice Canyon Elementary Lake Elsinore | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Withrow Elementary Lake Elsinore | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Alberhill Elementary Lake Elsinore | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Machado Elementary Lake Elsinore | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Earthlight Academy of Science and Discovery Lake Elsinore | 1.7 mi | — |
| Lakeside High Lake Elsinore | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Luiseno Corona | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Temescal Canyon High Lake Elsinore | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Expectations Academy Lake Elsinore | 3.3 mi | — |
| Elsinore Middle Lake Elsinore | 3.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Ortega High Lake Elsinore | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Keith McCarthy Academy Lake Elsinore | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Elsinore Elementary Lake Elsinore | 3.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Earl Warren Elementary Lake Elsinore | 4.3 mi | 4.3 |
| LEFEBVRE FAMILY HOME SCHOOL Lake Elsinore | 5.8 mi | — |
| Lefebvre Family Home School Lake Elsinore | 5.8 mi | — |
| Railroad Canyon Elementary Lake Elsinore | 5.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Maria Home School Corona | 5.6 mi | — |
| MORGAN ACADEMY Corona | 5.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Lakeland Village Lake Elsinore | 6.0 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92530 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,799
Median Home Value
$467,400
Median Rent
$1,705/mo
Population
60,877
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
42.7 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
33
Community Profile
The community surrounding Terra Cotta Middle has a median household income of $84,799. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $467,400, with a median rent of $1,705/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute in the area is 43 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bella Vista Middle Murrieta, CA | 5.5 |
| Chemawa Middle Riverside, CA | 5.5 |
| Citrus Hills Intermediate Corona, CA | 5.5 |
| Curran Middle Bakersfield, CA | 5.5 |
| David A. Brown Middle Wildomar, CA | 5.5 |
| Diegueno Middle Encinitas, CA | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Terra Cotta Middle
What grades does Terra Cotta Middle serve?
Terra Cotta Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Terra Cotta Middle?
Terra Cotta Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,064 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Terra Cotta Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Terra Cotta Middle is 26.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Terra Cotta Middle rank in CA?
Terra Cotta Middle is ranked #6529 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Terra Cotta Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Terra Cotta Middle has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Terra Cotta Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Terra Cotta Middle has 16.7% math proficiency and 32.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Terra Cotta Middle a charter school?
No, Terra Cotta Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Terra Cotta Middle a Title I school?
No, Terra Cotta Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Terra Cotta Middle?
80.4% of students at Terra Cotta 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake Elsinore). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,064
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (951) 253-7380
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lake Elsinore Unified- District Enrollment
- 20,769
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,089
- District Rank
- #16 of 24
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.
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