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Excellent

#239 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 3% in state

Tierra Linda Middle

Middle School · San Carlos Elementary

750 Dartmouth Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070

Enrollment

458

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

9.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Carlos

#4 of 9

public schools

California middle schools

#16 of 1,349

In district

#4 of 8

San Carlos Elementary

Equity

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Tierra Linda Middle

Tierra Linda Middle serves 458 students across grades six through eight in San Carlos, California. The school earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating. The academic score of 9.2 is high on its own, but the growth score of 9.4 is the more telling signal: students here don't just arrive prepared, they advance faster than peers elsewhere in the state.

The statewide numbers make that concrete. Tierra Linda ranks 16th among 1,349 California middle schools and sits at #239 out of 9,533 public schools across all grade levels — outperforming 98% of the state. Very few schools anywhere in California can claim both a top-20 middle school rank and a sub-300 statewide rank.

With 458 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.9 to 1, class sizes stay practical for a regular public school. San Carlos families evaluating local options have nine public schools to weigh; Tierra Linda ranks fourth among them. For a midsize suburban school, that combination of academic scores, growth trajectory, and statewide rank is difficult to match at any grade level.

What's said publicly about Tierra Linda Middle

Sources: School's website Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Tierra Linda Middle School is a middle school located in San Carlos, California, United States. Founded in 1953, it is one of two middle schools within the San Carlos Elementary School District. The school currently serves students in grades 6–8, a grade configuration adopted in 2018. Due to changing enrollment, the school was closed in 1982 but reopened in 2000. It shares its campus with Mariposa Upper Elementary School and San Carlos Charter Learning Center.
Sources (2)
  1. www.tierralindaschool.org
  2. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.7%
Math vs. State Avg+40.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+36.8 pts
Overall Proficiency79%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,346

Tierra Linda Middle — Students at Tierra Linda Middle score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

9.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.7%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 80.9%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
71%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
79%
2024
Math
75%
ELA
82.6%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Tierra Linda Middle Compares

See how Tierra Linda Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
98th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

750 Dartmouth Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tierra Linda Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mariposa (rated 9.4/10), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Arundel Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Brittan Acres Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in San Carlos, see our San Carlos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Mariposa San Carlos 0.0 mi 9.4
San Carlos Charter Learning Center San Carlos 0.1 mi 8.4
Carlmont High Belmont 0.2 mi 9.1
Charles Armstrong School Belmont 0.2 mi
CHARLES ARMSTRONG SCHOOL Belmont 0.2 mi 7.6
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Belmont 0.5 mi 5.6
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Belmont 0.5 mi 7.8
NOTRE DAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belmont 0.7 mi 7.2
BELMONT OAKS ACADEMY Belmont 0.6 mi 6.6
Belmont Oaks Academy Belmont 0.7 mi
Arundel Elementary San Carlos 0.7 mi 9.2
Central Elementary Belmont 1.1 mi 8.0
Heather Elementary San Carlos 1.3 mi 6.0
Serendipity School Belmont 1.2 mi
SERENDIPITY SCHOOL Belmont 1.2 mi 8.3
Nesbit Elementary Belmont 1.3 mi 4.6
Cipriani Elementary Belmont 1.2 mi 8.0
ST CHARLES SCHOOL San Carlos 1.3 mi 5.2
Crystal Springs Uplands School-Middle School Campus Belmont 1.3 mi
Brittan Acres Elementary San Carlos 1.4 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94070 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$235,373

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$2,802/mo

Population

30,696

College Educated

68.4%

Homeownership

69%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

3.2%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tierra Linda Middle has a median household income of $235,373. 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 $2,802/month. The local poverty rate of 3.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA 9.0
Adaline E. Kent Middle Kentfield, CA 9.1
BP STEM Academy Baldwin Park, CA 8.9
Garvey (Richard) Intermediate Rosemead, CA 8.9
Hilton D. Bell Intermediate Garden Grove, CA 8.9
KIPP Heartwood Academy San Jose, CA 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tierra Linda Middle

What grades does Tierra Linda Middle serve?

Tierra Linda Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Tierra Linda Middle?

Tierra Linda Middle has an enrollment of approximately 458 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tierra Linda Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Tierra Linda Middle is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tierra Linda Middle rank in CA?

Tierra Linda Middle is ranked #239 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Tierra Linda Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Tierra Linda Middle has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Tierra Linda Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tierra Linda Middle has 72.7% math proficiency and 80.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tierra Linda Middle a charter school?

No, Tierra Linda Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Tierra Linda Middle a Title I school?

No, Tierra Linda Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tierra Linda Middle?

9.6% of students at Tierra Linda 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (252/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
458
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
9.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Mateo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Carlos Elementary
District Enrollment
2,770
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,611
District Rank
#4 of 8

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.

Read our full methodology

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