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Needs Improvement

#9059 of 9,539 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

3.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,059 of 9,539

In Lake Elsinore

#17 of 19

public schools

In district

#22 of 24

Lake Elsinore Unified

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Terra Cotta Middle

3.4/10

Middle School in Lake Elsinore · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Rice Canyon Elementary

5.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Withrow Elementary

3.0/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Terra Cotta Middle

Terra Cotta Middle is a public middle school in Lake Elsinore, CA, part of Lake Elsinore Unified. Terra Cotta Middle serves approximately 1,064 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 26.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Terra Cotta Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #9,059 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Terra Cotta Middle show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.1
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Terra Cotta Middle runs 26.6:1 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 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-16.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,089
Chronic Absenteeism25.2%

Terra Cotta Middle — Students at Terra Cotta Middle score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 39.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
61%
ELA
54%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
58%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
26%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
21%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
14.8%
ELA
28.3%
2024
Math
17.8%
ELA
34.2%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Terra Cotta Middle Compares

See how Terra Cotta Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
5th percentile in CA
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Temescal Canyon High (rated 7.2/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MORGAN ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Corona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rice Canyon Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 0.6 miles away), 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 5.3
Withrow Elementary Lake Elsinore 0.8 mi 3.0
Alberhill Elementary Lake Elsinore 1.2 mi 3.9
Machado Elementary Lake Elsinore 1.2 mi 2.8
Earthlight Academy of Science and Discovery Lake Elsinore 1.7 mi
Lakeside High Lake Elsinore 1.8 mi 5.2
Luiseno Corona 2.8 mi 4.8
Temescal Canyon High Lake Elsinore 2.7 mi 7.2
Expectations Academy Lake Elsinore 3.3 mi
Elsinore Middle Lake Elsinore 3.4 mi 3.6
Ortega High Lake Elsinore 3.4 mi 4.8
Keith McCarthy Academy Lake Elsinore 3.4 mi 4.9
Elsinore Elementary Lake Elsinore 3.8 mi 3.4
Earl Warren Elementary Lake Elsinore 4.3 mi 3.5
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 4.0
Maria Home School Corona 5.6 mi
MORGAN ACADEMY Corona 5.8 mi 6.3
Lakeland Village Lake Elsinore 6.0 mi 3.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Diamond Valley Middle Hemet, CA 3.4
Nicolet Middle Banning, CA 3.4
Silverado Middle Napa, CA 3.4
Antioch Middle Antioch, CA 3.3
Dallas Ranch Middle Antioch, CA 3.5
Dartmouth Middle Hemet, CA 3.3

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 ranks #9,059 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Terra Cotta Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Terra Cotta Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Terra Cotta Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Terra Cotta Middle has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.2%

District

Lake Elsinore Unified
District Enrollment
20,769
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,089
District Rank
#22 of 24

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