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Very Good

#2339 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 25% in state

Union Hill Middle

Middle School · Union Hill Elementary

11638 Colfax Hwy., Grass Valley, CA 94945

Enrollment

146

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

7.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grass Valley

#6 of 21

public schools

California middle schools

#291 of 1,349

In district

#1 of 2

Union Hill Elementary

Academic growth

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Union Hill Middle

Union Hill Middle serves 146 students in grades 7 and 8 in Grass Valley, California, operating as a smaller middle school community with an 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio and 8 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned a solid 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 78th percentile statewide, placing it at #2144 among California's 9566 schools. Academically, Union Hill Middle shows respectable performance with 52% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 46% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These scores reflect a school where students are making meaningful progress in core subjects, with particularly strong showing in reading and writing skills. The school draws from a well-educated community where 53% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $115,000. With a low poverty rate of just 6.7% in the surrounding area, students benefit from a stable economic environment that often correlates with educational support at home.

Union Hill Middle is situated in the town setting of Grass Valley in Nevada County, where families enjoy the balance of small-town community feel with access to quality educational opportunities in the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills region.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 146 students, Union Hill Middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.1Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.1%
Math vs. State Avg+12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.8 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,965

Union Hill Middle — Students at Union Hill Middle score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 46.4%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 53.2%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
46%
ELA
52.3%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Union Hill Middle Compares

See how Union Hill Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
76th percentile in CA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

11638 Colfax Hwy., Grass Valley, CA 94945

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union Hill Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lyman Gilmore Middle (rated 6.3/10, 2.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Seven Hills Intermediate (rated 5.9/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Nevada City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grass Valley, see our Grass Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Union Hill Elementary Grass Valley 0.0 mi 6.7
Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley 1.4 mi 6.7
Silver Springs High (Continuation) Grass Valley 1.4 mi 6.7
Bitney Prep High Grass Valley 1.9 mi 8.3
Mount St. Mary Academy Grass Valley 1.7 mi
Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley 1.7 mi 8.1
William & Marian Ghidotti High Grass Valley 2.2 mi 7.6
John Muir Charter Grass Valley 1.9 mi 6.4
Nevada Union High Grass Valley 2.6 mi 4.9
Lyman Gilmore Middle Grass Valley 2.2 mi 6.3
North Point Academy Grass Valley 2.6 mi 4.2
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary Grass Valley 2.4 mi 4.5
Earle Jamieson Educational Options Nevada City 3.0 mi
ECHO RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nevada City 3.0 mi 5.5
Echo Ridge Christian School Nevada City 3.0 mi
Deer Creek Elementary Nevada City 3.2 mi 5.3
Twin Ridges Home Study Charter Nevada City 3.2 mi 7.3
Nevada County Special Education Nevada City 3.3 mi 6.0
Yuba River Charter Grass Valley 2.8 mi 7.5
Seven Hills Intermediate Nevada City 3.4 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94945 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,750

Median Home Value

$1,094,300

Median Rent

$2,168/mo

Population

17,280

College Educated

51.7%

Homeownership

71.5%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

51.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Union Hill Middle has a median household income of $109,750. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,094,300, with a median rent of $2,168/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
College Connection Academy San Jose, CA 7.5
MILLENNIUM SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco, CA 7.5
THE GIRLS' MIDDLE SCHOOL Palo Alto, CA 7.5
JULIA MORGAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Oakland, CA 7.6
Russell Westbrook Why Not? Middle Los Angeles, CA 7.6
Teach Elementary San Luis Obispo, CA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union Hill Middle

What grades does Union Hill Middle serve?

Union Hill Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Union Hill Middle?

Union Hill Middle has an enrollment of approximately 146 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Hill Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Union Hill Middle is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Union Hill Middle rank in CA?

Union Hill Middle is ranked #2339 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Union Hill Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Union Hill Middle has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Union Hill Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union Hill Middle has 46.4% math proficiency and 53.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Union Hill Middle a charter school?

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

Is Union Hill Middle a Title I school?

No, Union Hill Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union Hill Middle?

39.7% of students at Union Hill 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,743/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grass Valley). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
146
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Nevada County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Union Hill Elementary
District Enrollment
689
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,456
District Rank
#1 of 2

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.

Read our full methodology

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