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Below Average

#8784 of 9,533 schools in CA

Vandenberg Middle

Middle School · Lompoc Unified

PO Box 8000, Lompoc, CA 93438

Enrollment

574

Student-Teacher

21.3:1

Score

4.1

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lompoc

#18 of 19

public schools

California middle schools

#1,277 of 1,349

In district

#14 of 15

Lompoc Unified

About Vandenberg Middle

Vandenberg Middle is a regular public middle school in Lompoc, California, nestled in a rural setting near the town. The school serves seventh and eighth graders with an enrollment of 574 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.3:1. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers, Vandenberg Middle provides a supportive environment for its students.

Academically, the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10, placing it in the 24th percentile among California schools. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 41%, while Math proficiency is at 28%. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on growth and development to better support its students.

Vandenberg Middle School sits in a rural area, offering a close-knit community feel with supportive neighbors and local resources.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Vandenberg Middle is 21.3:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Vandenberg Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.6%
Math vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.7 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,652

Vandenberg Middle — Students at Vandenberg Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.3%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 40.7%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
38%
ELA
59%
2024
Math
25.1%
ELA
34.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.

How Vandenberg Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
8th percentile in CA
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

PO Box 8000, Lompoc, CA 93438

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vandenberg Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Manzanita Public Charter (rated 7.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mission Valley (rated 6.5/10, 7.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LOMPOC VALLEY BAPTIST SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 8.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lompoc, see our Lompoc schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Manzanita Public Charter Lompoc 0.6 mi 7.3
Crestview Elementary Lompoc 0.7 mi 4.3
Cabrillo High Lompoc 3.6 mi 4.9
Buena Vista Elementary Lompoc 4.1 mi 5.0
CHILDREN'S MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lompoc 4.4 mi
Maple High Lompoc 4.7 mi 5.4
Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy Lompoc 6.1 mi 4.4
La Canada Elementary Lompoc 7.3 mi 3.2
Clarence Ruth Elementary Lompoc 7.6 mi 5.1
Mission Valley Lompoc 7.4 mi 6.5
La Honda STEAM Academy Lompoc 7.5 mi 5.2
Lompoc High Lompoc 7.7 mi 5.0
Olive Grove Charter - Lompoc Santa Maria 7.7 mi 4.1
Dr Bob Forinash Community Day Lompoc 8.1 mi
Miguelito Elementary Lompoc 8.4 mi 4.3
LOMPOC VALLEY BAPTIST SCHOOL Lompoc 8.2 mi 5.8
Leonora Fillmore Elementary Lompoc 8.1 mi 5.2
Lompoc Valley Middle Lompoc 8.4 mi 5.0
LA PURISIMA CONCEPCION SCHOOL Lompoc 8.6 mi 4.4
La Purisima Concepcion Elementary Lompoc 8.7 mi

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Endeavour Middle Lancaster, CA 4.1
Price Intermediate Orland, CA 4.1
Aspire Benjamin Holt Middle Oakland, CA 4.0
Coalinga Middle Coalinga, CA 4.0
Fairmead Elementary Chowchilla, CA 4.0
Herbert Slater Middle Santa Rosa, CA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vandenberg Middle

What grades does Vandenberg Middle serve?

Vandenberg Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Vandenberg Middle?

Vandenberg Middle has an enrollment of approximately 574 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vandenberg Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Vandenberg Middle is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vandenberg Middle rank in CA?

Vandenberg Middle is ranked #8784 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Vandenberg Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Vandenberg Middle has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Vandenberg Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vandenberg Middle has 28.3% math proficiency and 40.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vandenberg Middle a charter school?

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

Is Vandenberg Middle a Title I school?

No, Vandenberg Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

56.8% of students at Vandenberg 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

City Safety
High (1,972/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
574
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lompoc Unified
District Enrollment
8,955
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,050
District Rank
#14 of 15

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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