Excellent
#1348 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 14% in state
Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet
Middle School · Los Angeles Unified
4201 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029
Enrollment
1,594
Student-Teacher
19:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,594
Student-Teacher
19:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Los Angeles
#194 of 563
public schools
California middle schools
#149 of 1,349
In district
#301 of 769
Los Angeles Unified
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet
Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet serves 1,594 students in grades 6-8 as a specialized alternative school in Los Angeles. With its unique focus on film and media arts, this magnet program attracts students interested in creative storytelling and digital production. The school maintains a 19:1 student-teacher ratio with 84 full-time equivalent teachers supporting the diverse student body.
Academically, Thomas Starr King performs well above average, earning a 7.8 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #1514 out of 9566 California schools. Students demonstrate solid literacy skills with 59% achieving proficiency in English Language Arts, while math performance shows room for growth at 43% proficient. The school's academic score of 7.6 reflects its commitment to balancing creative arts education with core academic subjects.
Located on Fountain Avenue in the 90029 ZIP code, the school serves a community where the median household income is $56,529 and 35% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite high local home values averaging over $1 million, the area maintains economic diversity with a 22.2% poverty rate. The school sits within Los Angeles's vibrant urban landscape, providing students access to the entertainment industry connections that complement their specialized film and media education.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet — Students at Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.1%
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: 6.6/10.
How Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet Compares
See how Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 43.02% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 59.25% (2024).
Location
4201 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Micheltorena Street Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dayton Heights Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin Avenue Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Los Angeles, see our Los Angeles schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90029 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,793
Median Home Value
$1,066,200
Median Rent
$1,644/mo
Population
33,830
College Educated
36.3%
Homeownership
11.2%
Avg Commute
36 min
Poverty Rate
23.1%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet has a median household income of $60,793. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,066,200, with a median rent of $1,644/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 36 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 |
|---|---|
| Giannini (A.P.) Middle San Francisco, CA | 8.0 |
| Patrick Henry Middle Granada Hills, CA | 8.0 |
| South Gate Middle South Gate, CA | 8.0 |
| Clement Middle Redlands, CA | 8.1 |
| Edward Harris Jr. Middle Elk Grove, CA | 7.9 |
| Joaquin Miller Middle San Jose, CA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet
What grades does Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet serve?
Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet?
Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet has an enrollment of approximately 1,594 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet is 19:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet rank in CA?
Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet is ranked #1348 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet has 43.9% math proficiency and 59.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet a charter school?
No, Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet a Title I school?
No, Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet?
71.1% of students at Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet 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
- Walk Score
- 87 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 65 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 65 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,223/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Los Angeles). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,594
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 84
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (323) 644-6700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Los Angeles Unified- District Enrollment
- 419,929
- Schools in District
- 785
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,687
- District Rank
- #301 of 769
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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