Excellent
#496 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 5% in state
Waterford Junior
Middle School · Waterford Unified
12916 Bentley St., Waterford, CA 95386
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
8.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
8.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterford
#1 of 8
public schools
California middle schools
#52 of 1,349
In district
#1 of 4
Waterford Unified
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Waterford Junior
Waterford Junior is a public middle school in Waterford, CA, part of the Waterford Unified. The school serves approximately 262 students in grades 7th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 94.8th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 31% proficiency in math, 3 points below the state average and 41% in reading/language arts, 5 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $71,336, where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe town setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Waterford Junior 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
View breakdown
Waterford Junior — Students at Waterford Junior score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.5%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.
How Waterford Junior Compares
See how Waterford Junior performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 36.17% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 44.02% (2024).
Location
12916 Bentley St., Waterford, CA 95386
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waterford Junior may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Emilie J. Ross Middle (rated 6.9/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Hughson), a more accessible option. Another option is Hickman Middle (rated 5.1/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Hickman), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lucille Whitehead Intermediate (rated 3.6/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Waterford, see our Waterford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity Knox Classical Academy Waterford | 0.2 mi | — |
| Connecting Waters Charter Waterford | 0.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Lucille Whitehead Intermediate Waterford | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Richard M. Moon Primary Waterford | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Waterford High Waterford | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Sentinel High Waterford | 1.0 mi | — |
| Hickman Elementary Hickman | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Hickman Charter Hickman | 1.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Hickman Middle Hickman | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Gratton Elementary Denair | 5.2 mi | — |
| Gratton Charter Denair | 5.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Fox Road Elementary Hughson | 6.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Emilie J. Ross Middle Hughson | 6.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Hughson High Hughson | 6.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Hughson Elementary Hughson | 6.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Dickens (Billy Joe) High (Continuation) Hughson | 6.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Valley Community Day Hughson | 6.6 mi | — |
| HUGHSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hughson | 6.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Denair Elementary Charter Academy Denair | 8.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Denair Charter Academy Denair | 8.3 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95386 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,336
Median Home Value
$391,100
Median Rent
$1,543/mo
Population
10,410
College Educated
9.8%
Homeownership
55.5%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Median Age
32
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waterford Junior has a median household income of $71,336. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $391,100, with a median rent of $1,543/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Planada, CA | 8.6 |
| R. Roger Rowe Middle Rancho Santa Fe, CA | 8.6 |
| Walnut Park Mid A Sch of Soc Just and Service Lrng Walnut Park, CA | 8.6 |
| Innovation Middle San Diego, CA | 8.7 |
| Brown Jr. (Willie L) Middle San Francisco, CA | 8.4 |
| Malibu Middle Malibu, CA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waterford Junior
What grades does Waterford Junior serve?
Waterford Junior serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Waterford Junior?
Waterford Junior has an enrollment of approximately 262 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterford Junior?
The student-teacher ratio at Waterford Junior 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 Waterford Junior rank in CA?
Waterford Junior is ranked #496 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Waterford Junior's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterford Junior has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Waterford Junior?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterford Junior has 31.1% math proficiency and 41.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Waterford Junior a charter school?
No, Waterford Junior is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waterford Junior a Title I school?
No, Waterford Junior is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterford Junior?
93.5% of students at Waterford Junior 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waterford). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 262
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Stanislaus County
- Phone
- (209) 874-2382
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waterford Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,737
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,508
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.