Excellent
#485 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 5% in state
Thurston Middle
Middle School · Laguna Beach Unified
2100 Park Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#485 of 9,539
In Laguna Beach
#4 of 4
public schools
In district
#4 of 4
Laguna Beach Unified
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Thurston Middle
Middle School in Laguna Beach · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Top of the World Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Anneliese Schools
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thurston Middle
Thurston Middle is a public middle school in Laguna Beach, CA, part of Laguna Beach Unified. Thurston Middle serves approximately 519 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Thurston Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #485 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Thurston Middle show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.8 · Excellent
- CA avg 6.5
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: 63%).
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 30 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: 8.0/10.
How Thurston Middle Compares
See how Thurston Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Top of the World Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Laguna Beach High (rated 9.0/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Canyon Vista Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Aliso Viejo), with a very similar rating. 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 | 9.5 |
| Anneliese Schools Laguna Beach | 0.8 mi | — |
| ANNELIESE SCHOOL Laguna Beach | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Laguna Beach High Laguna Beach | 0.9 mi | 9.0 |
| 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 | 8.8 |
| 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 | 8.5 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Aliso Viejo | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Wood Canyon Elementary Aliso Viejo | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| De Portola Middle San Diego, CA | 8.8 |
| Herman (Leonard) Intermediate San Jose, CA | 8.8 |
| Joaquin Moraga Intermediate Moraga, CA | 8.8 |
| Lakeside Middle Norwalk, CA | 8.8 |
| Los Osos Middle Los Osos, CA | 8.8 |
| Sarah McGarvin Intermediate Westminster, CA | 8.8 |
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 ranks #485 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Thurston Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Thurston Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 Thurston Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thurston Middle has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 11.9%
- Phone
- (949) 497-7785
Resources & Links
District
Laguna Beach Unified- District Enrollment
- 2,386
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,416
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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