Below Average
#7817 of 9,533 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
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
627
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Whittier
#40 of 42
public schools
California middle schools
#1,170 of 1,349
In district
#12 of 12
Whittier City Elementary
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Walter F. Dexter Middle
Walter F. Dexter Middle is a regular public middle school in Whittier, California, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 627 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 20.9:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 30 full-time equivalent teachers.
Located in a large suburban area, Walter F. Dexter Middle offers a range of programs and activities for its diverse student body. The school's academic performance is currently rated at 3.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 14th percentile among California schools, with room for improvement.
In reading and English language arts, 34% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 20% meet proficiency standards. These scores indicate areas where additional focus and support could benefit the students. Walter F.
Dexter Middle is situated in an area that offers a mix of residential homes and local amenities, providing a community setting for its middle schoolers to thrive and grow academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Walter F. Dexter Middle is 20.9:1, 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
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: 25%).
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 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: 3.1/10.
How Walter F. Dexter Middle Compares
See how Walter F. Dexter Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 17.26% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 31.03% (2024).
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. Longfellow Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orange Grove Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Katherine Edwards Mid Sch STEAM & Dual Immersion Acad (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 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 | 5.0 |
| Longfellow Elementary Whittier | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| 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 | 7.9 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| Christian Sorensen Science Academy Whittier | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| West Whittier Elementary Whittier | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Katherine Edwards Mid Sch STEAM & Dual Immersion Acad Whittier | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| 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 | 7.1 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Walter F. Dexter Middle has a median household income of $102,267. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $729,000, with a median rent of $1,862/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Bernardo Yorba Middle Placentia, CA | 4.9 |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville, CA | 4.9 |
| El Camino Junior High Santa Maria, CA | 4.9 |
| Equitas Academy 4 Los Angeles, CA | 4.9 |
| Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Merced, CA | 4.9 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced, CA | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #7817 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Walter F. Dexter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Walter F. Dexter Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Walter F. Dexter Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walter F. Dexter Middle has 19.9% math proficiency and 33.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,878/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Whittier). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (562) 789-3090
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Whittier City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 5,366
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,550
- District Rank
- #12 of 12
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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