Average
#7169 of 9,533 schools in CA
Valley Middle
Middle School · Carlsbad Unified
6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Enrollment
788
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
788
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carlsbad
#20 of 22
public schools
California middle schools
#1,076 of 1,349
In district
#15 of 16
Carlsbad Unified
Equity
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Valley Middle
Valley Middle serves 788 students in grades 6-8 in Carlsbad, California, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1 and 39 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned solid recognition, ranking in the 79th percentile statewide at #2037 out of 9,566 California schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. Academically, Valley Middle demonstrates strong performance with 58% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 47% meet or exceed standards in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 7.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement across the middle school years. The school draws from an affluent and highly educated community in the 92009 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $163,402 and 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of just 6.3% and median home values of $1,158,900, the neighborhood provides a stable foundation for student learning.
Valley Middle is situated along El Camino Real in Carlsbad, a vibrant mid-size city in San Diego County known for its coastal charm and family-friendly atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Middle is 20.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Valley Middle — Students at Valley Middle score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.4%
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: 2.6/10.
How Valley Middle Compares
See how Valley Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 47.41% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 57.73% (2024).
Location
6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Buena Vista Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hope Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carlsbad, see our Carlsbad schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SANDERLING WALDORF SCHOOL Carlsbad | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Magnolia Elementary Carlsbad | 0.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Carlsbad High Carlsbad | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Carlsbad Village Academy Carlsbad | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Carlsbad Seaside Academy Carlsbad | 0.4 mi | 4.7 |
| CARLSBAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carlsbad | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary Carlsbad | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| CASA MONTESSORI DE CARLSBAD Carlsbad | 0.7 mi | — |
| VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Carlsbad | 0.9 mi | — |
| Coastal Sage Montessori Carlsbad | 1.1 mi | — |
| Buena Vista Elementary Carlsbad | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Kelly Elementary Carlsbad | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Army and Navy Academy Carlsbad | 1.5 mi | — |
| ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY Carlsbad | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Hope Elementary Carlsbad | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| California Accelerated Learning (CAL) Prep Oceanside | 1.9 mi | — |
| CALIFORNIA ACCELERATED LEARNING INSTITUTE Oceanside | 1.9 mi | — |
| CARLSBAD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Carlsbad | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL Oceanside | 2.4 mi | — |
| South Oceanside Elementary Oceanside | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92009 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$162,128
Median Home Value
$1,219,600
Median Rent
$2,955/mo
Population
45,778
College Educated
64.4%
Homeownership
72.7%
Avg Commute
28.7 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Valley Middle has a median household income of $162,128. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,219,600, with a median rent of $2,955/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Acacia Middle Hemet, CA | 5.2 |
| Arden Middle Sacramento, CA | 5.2 |
| Canyon Lake Middle Lake Elsinore, CA | 5.2 |
| Chalone Peaks Middle King City, CA | 5.2 |
| Curtis Middle San Bernardino, CA | 5.2 |
| Delta Vista Middle Oakley, CA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley Middle
What grades does Valley Middle serve?
Valley Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Valley Middle?
Valley Middle has an enrollment of approximately 788 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Middle is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valley Middle rank in CA?
Valley Middle is ranked #7169 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Valley Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Middle has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Valley Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Middle has 50.5% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Valley Middle a charter school?
No, Valley Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valley Middle a Title I school?
No, Valley Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Middle?
24.4% of students at Valley 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
- City Safety
- High (1,717/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carlsbad). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 788
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (760) 331-5300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carlsbad Unified- District Enrollment
- 10,832
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,076
- District Rank
- #15 of 16
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 methodologyRelated reading
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