Very Good
#2888 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 30% in state
Valley Middle
Middle School · Carlsbad Unified
6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Enrollment
788
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
788
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,888 of 9,539
In Carlsbad
#16 of 22
public schools
In district
#12 of 16
Carlsbad Unified
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Valley Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
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Valley Middle
Middle School in Carlsbad · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sanderling Waldorf School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Magnolia Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Valley Middle
Valley Middle is a public middle school in Carlsbad, CA, part of Carlsbad Unified. Valley Middle serves approximately 788 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,888 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Valley Middle show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 7.8
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Valley Middle runs 20.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 32 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: 7.7/10.
How Valley Middle Compares
See how Valley 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
6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kelly Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Magnolia Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 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 | 8.5 |
| Carlsbad High Carlsbad | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Carlsbad Village Academy Carlsbad | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Carlsbad Seaside Academy Carlsbad | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| CARLSBAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carlsbad | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary Carlsbad | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 8.4 |
| Kelly Elementary Carlsbad | 1.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Army and Navy Academy Carlsbad | 1.5 mi | — |
| ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY Carlsbad | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Hope Elementary Carlsbad | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 | 4.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Terronez Middle Fresno, CA | 7.3 |
| Erle Stanley Gardner Middle Temecula, CA | 7.3 |
| Ethel Dwyer Middle Huntington Beach, CA | 7.3 |
| Fairfax Junior High Bakersfield, CA | 7.3 |
| Goleta Valley Junior High Goleta, CA | 7.3 |
| Kenilworth Junior High Petaluma, CA | 7.3 |
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 ranks #2,888 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Valley Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Valley Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Middle has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.6%
- Phone
- (760) 331-5300
Resources & Links
District
Carlsbad Unified- District Enrollment
- 10,832
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,076
- District Rank
- #12 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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