Very Good
#2431 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 26% in state
Thurston Middle
Middle School · Laguna Beach Unified
2100 Park Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Laguna Beach
#3 of 4
public schools
California middle schools
#308 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 4
Laguna Beach Unified
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Thurston Middle
Thurston Middle serves 519 students in grades 6 through 8 in Laguna Beach, California, consistently ranking among the top performing middle schools in the state. With a ranking of #185 out of 9,566 California schools, placing it in the 98th percentile, this regular public school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement with a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 16.2 to 1 across its 32 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academic performance is particularly strong, with 75% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 65% reach proficiency standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and student success. Located at 2100 Park Ave in Orange County's ZIP code 92651, Thurston Middle serves a highly educated and affluent community where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood's median household income of $148,381 and median home value of $2,000,001 reflect the area's prosperity, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 5.3% among the 23,981 residents. Thurston Middle operates within Laguna Beach's large suburban setting, providing students with both academic rigor and the unique charm of this renowned coastal Orange County community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thurston Middle — Students at Thurston Middle score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.7%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.
How Thurston Middle Compares
See how Thurston Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 64.72% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 74.8% (2024).
Location
2100 Park Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thurston Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Laguna Beach High (rated 9.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Canyon Vista Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Aliso Viejo), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Top of the World Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Laguna Beach, see our Laguna Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Top of the World Elementary Laguna Beach | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Anneliese Schools Laguna Beach | 0.8 mi | — |
| ANNELIESE SCHOOL Laguna Beach | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Laguna Beach High Laguna Beach | 0.9 mi | 9.3 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LAGUNA BEACH Laguna Beach | 1.1 mi | — |
| B-Greatness LLC Laguna Beach | 1.6 mi | — |
| BLACKWELL LLC Laguna Beach | 1.6 mi | — |
| MENTAL UNIVERSE LLC Laguna Beach | 1.6 mi | — |
| Iugo World Academy Laguna Beach | 1.6 mi | — |
| Canyon Vista Elementary Aliso Viejo | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| ANNELIESE SCHOOLS, INC. Laguna Beach | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| VanDamme Academy Aliso Viejo | 2.3 mi | — |
| Community Christian Homeschool Aliso Viejo | 2.3 mi | — |
| THE DISCOVERY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Aliso Viejo | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| VANDAMME ACADEMY Aliso Viejo | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Aliso Viejo | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Aliso Viejo | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Wood Canyon Elementary Aliso Viejo | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92651 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$143,569
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$2,812/mo
Population
23,477
College Educated
67.5%
Homeownership
65.2%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Median Age
52.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thurston Middle has a median household income of $143,569. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $2,812/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Baird Middle Fresno, CA | 7.4 |
| Christa McAuliffe Middle Stockton, CA | 7.4 |
| Coronado Middle Coronado, CA | 7.4 |
| Edward J. Richardson Middle Torrance, CA | 7.4 |
| George V. LeyVa Intermediate San Jose, CA | 7.4 |
| Imperial Middle La Habra, CA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thurston Middle
What grades does Thurston Middle serve?
Thurston Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Thurston Middle?
Thurston Middle has an enrollment of approximately 519 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thurston Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Thurston Middle is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thurston Middle rank in CA?
Thurston Middle is ranked #2431 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Thurston Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Thurston Middle has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Thurston Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thurston Middle has 67.1% math proficiency and 75.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thurston Middle a charter school?
No, Thurston Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thurston Middle a Title I school?
No, Thurston Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thurston Middle?
19.7% of students at Thurston 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
- Walk Score
- 18 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 22 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 4 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,117/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laguna Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 519
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 497-7785
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Laguna Beach Unified- District Enrollment
- 2,386
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,416
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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