Very Good
#3045 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 32% in state
West Cottonwood Junior High
Middle School · Cottonwood Union Elementary
20512 West First St., Cottonwood, CA 96022
Enrollment
395
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.1
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
395
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.1
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cottonwood
#4 of 8
public schools
California middle schools
#401 of 1,349
In district
#2 of 2
Cottonwood Union Elementary
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About West Cottonwood Junior High
West Cottonwood Junior High is a middle school located in the rural setting of Cottonwood, California. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, this regular public school has an enrollment of 395 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.4 out of 10, placing it in the 66th percentile among California schools.
Academically, West Cottonwood Junior High scores an average of 50% proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, with 37% reaching proficiency levels in Math. The school focuses on student development and academic growth, offering support to meet individual needs. West Cottonwood Junior High is situated near a small town, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Cottonwood Junior High 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
West Cottonwood Junior High — Students at West Cottonwood Junior High score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 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: 6.9/10.
How West Cottonwood Junior High Compares
See how West Cottonwood Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 34.02% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 50.13% (2024).
Location
20512 West First St., Cottonwood, CA 96022
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Cottonwood Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Evergreen Middle (rated 8.3/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Anderson Middle (rated 7.6/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Anderson), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cottonwood, see our Cottonwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Creek Charter Cottonwood | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| North Cottonwood Cottonwood | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Evergreen Elementary Cottonwood | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Evergreen Middle Cottonwood | 2.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Evergreen Community Day School (5-8) Cottonwood | 2.8 mi | — |
| Evergreen Community Day School (K-5) Cottonwood | 2.8 mi | — |
| Evergreen Institute of Excellence Cottonwood | 2.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Anderson Heights Elementary Anderson | 3.5 mi | 4.6 |
| North State Aspire Academy Anderson | 3.6 mi | — |
| Anderson Community Day Anderson | 3.8 mi | — |
| North Valley High Anderson | 3.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Oakview High (Alternative) Anderson | 3.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Anderson High Anderson | 4.1 mi | 5.6 |
| INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Anderson | 4.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Anderson Middle Anderson | 4.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Northern Summit Academy Shasta Anderson | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Anderson New Technology High Anderson | 4.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Meadow Lane Elementary Anderson | 4.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Tree of Life International Charter Anderson | 5.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Prairie Elementary Anderson | 6.5 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 96022 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,220
Median Home Value
$355,300
Median Rent
$1,409/mo
Population
16,497
College Educated
22.1%
Homeownership
77.7%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Median Age
42.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Cottonwood Junior High has a median household income of $87,220. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $355,300, with a median rent of $1,409/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Elkhorn Stockton, CA | 7.1 |
| Fairview Middle Gonzales, CA | 7.1 |
| Glenn Hammond Curtiss Middle Carson, CA | 7.1 |
| Hillcrest Middle Sebastopol, CA | 7.1 |
| Monsenor Oscar Romero Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.1 |
| Taft Middle San Diego, CA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Cottonwood Junior High
What grades does West Cottonwood Junior High serve?
West Cottonwood Junior High serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend West Cottonwood Junior High?
West Cottonwood Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 395 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Cottonwood Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at West Cottonwood Junior High is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Cottonwood Junior High rank in CA?
West Cottonwood Junior High is ranked #3045 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is West Cottonwood Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
West Cottonwood Junior High has a composite rating of 7.1 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 West Cottonwood Junior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Cottonwood Junior High has 37.0% math proficiency and 49.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Cottonwood Junior High a charter school?
No, West Cottonwood Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Cottonwood Junior High a Title I school?
No, West Cottonwood Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Cottonwood Junior High?
51.6% of students at West Cottonwood Junior High 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
- County Safety
- Average (439/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 395
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Shasta County
- Phone
- (530) 347-3123
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cottonwood Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 910
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,516
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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
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