Average
#5752 of 9,539 schools in CA
Walter F. Dexter Middle
Middle School · Whittier City Elementary
11532 East Floral Dr., Whittier, CA 90601
Enrollment
627
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
627
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,752 of 9,539
In Whittier
#35 of 42
public schools
In district
#11 of 12
Whittier City Elementary
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Walter F. Dexter Middle
Middle School in Whittier · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Whittier Independent Study
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Longfellow Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Walter F. Dexter Middle
Walter F. Dexter Middle is a public middle school in Whittier, CA, part of Whittier City Elementary. Walter F.
Dexter Middle serves approximately 627 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Walter F. Dexter Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #5,752 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Walter F. Dexter Middle show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- District avg 7.1
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Walter F. Dexter Middle runs 20.9:1 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.
37% of students at Walter F. Dexter Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Walter F. Dexter Middle — Students at Walter F. Dexter Middle score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 6.1/10.
How Walter F. Dexter Middle Compares
See how Walter F. Dexter 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
11532 East Floral Dr., Whittier, CA 90601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walter F. Dexter Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Daniel Phelan Language Academy (rated 8.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Katherine Edwards Mid Sch STEAM & Dual Immersion Acad (rated 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whittier High (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Whittier, see our Whittier schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Whittier Independent Study Whittier | 0.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Longfellow Elementary Whittier | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Whittier | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Hadley Whittier | 0.5 mi | — |
| HADLEY SCHOOL Whittier | 0.5 mi | — |
| Orange Grove Elementary Whittier | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| B'nai Ha Aliyah - Children of Ascent Academy Whittier | 0.9 mi | — |
| LAD N LASSIE PRESCHOOL Whittier | 0.8 mi | — |
| Whittier High Whittier | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Christian Sorensen Science Academy Whittier | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| West Whittier Elementary Whittier | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Katherine Edwards Mid Sch STEAM & Dual Immersion Acad Whittier | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary Whittier | 1.2 mi | — |
| ST MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION SCHOOL Whittier | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Daniel Phelan Language Academy Whittier | 1.3 mi | 8.6 |
| WHITTIER FRIENDS SCHOOL Whittier | 1.3 mi | — |
| Whittier Friends School Whittier | 1.3 mi | — |
| KEYSTONE MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL WHITTIER Whittier | 1.4 mi | — |
| Keystone Montessori Preschool Whittier Whittier | 1.4 mi | — |
| Lou Henry Hoover School of Fine Arts Whittier | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$102,267
Median Home Value
$729,000
Median Rent
$1,862/mo
Population
30,472
College Educated
31.1%
Homeownership
62.1%
Avg Commute
32.9 min
Poverty Rate
9%
Median Age
40.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bobby Duke Middle Coachella, CA | 5.9 |
| Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella, CA | 5.9 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle Oceanside, CA | 5.9 |
| Chalone Peaks Middle King City, CA | 5.9 |
| Hamilton Middle Long Beach, CA | 5.9 |
| Hoover Middle Lakewood, CA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walter F. Dexter Middle
What grades does Walter F. Dexter Middle serve?
Walter F. Dexter Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Walter F. Dexter Middle?
Walter F. Dexter Middle has an enrollment of approximately 627 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walter F. Dexter Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Walter F. Dexter Middle is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walter F. Dexter Middle rank in CA?
Walter F. Dexter Middle ranks #5,752 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Walter F. Dexter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Walter F. Dexter Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Walter F. Dexter Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Walter F. Dexter Middle has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Walter F. Dexter Middle a charter school?
No, Walter F. Dexter Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walter F. Dexter Middle a Title I school?
No, Walter F. Dexter Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walter F. Dexter Middle?
86.6% of students at Walter F. Dexter 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
- 627
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.7%
- Phone
- (562) 789-3090
Resources & Links
District
Whittier City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 5,366
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,550
- District Rank
- #11 of 12
How we rate schools
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