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Excellent

#1527 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 16% 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

8.0

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,527 of 9,539

In Cottonwood

#2 of 8

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Cottonwood Union Elementary

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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West Cottonwood Junior High

8.0/10

Middle School in Cottonwood · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cottonwood Creek Charter

8.3/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

North Cottonwood

6.9/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About West Cottonwood Junior High

West Cottonwood Junior High is a public middle school in Cottonwood, CA, part of Cottonwood Union Elementary. West Cottonwood Junior High serves approximately 395 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. West Cottonwood Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,527 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for West Cottonwood Junior High show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts above CA schools
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

West Cottonwood Junior High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.7 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,516
Chronic Absenteeism21.3%

West Cottonwood Junior High — Students at West Cottonwood Junior High score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
34.1% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 51.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
45%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
43%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
39%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
46%
2016
Math
34%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
44%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
37.8%
ELA
47.3%
2024
Math
34.2%
ELA
49.9%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How West Cottonwood Junior High Compares

See how West Cottonwood Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
84th percentile in CA
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.3%

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 6.7/10, 2.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Anderson Middle (rated 5.6/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Anderson), a more accessible option. 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 8.3
North Cottonwood Cottonwood 1.3 mi 6.9
Evergreen Elementary Cottonwood 2.7 mi 5.4
Evergreen Middle Cottonwood 2.8 mi 6.7
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 7.8
Anderson Heights Elementary Anderson 3.5 mi 5.6
North State Aspire Academy Anderson 3.6 mi
Anderson Community Day Anderson 3.8 mi
North Valley High Anderson 3.8 mi 4.6
Oakview High (Alternative) Anderson 3.8 mi 5.9
Anderson High Anderson 4.1 mi 7.2
INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Anderson 4.2 mi 5.2
Anderson Middle Anderson 4.2 mi 5.6
Northern Summit Academy Shasta Anderson 4.4 mi 8.1
Anderson New Technology High Anderson 4.6 mi 7.0
Meadow Lane Elementary Anderson 4.8 mi 6.8
Tree of Life International Charter Anderson 5.9 mi 7.6
Prairie Elementary Anderson 6.5 mi 7.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fort Irwin Middle Yermo, CA 8.0
Live Oak Middle Live Oak, CA 8.0
Los Nietos Middle Los Nietos, CA 8.0
Louis Lake Intermediate Garden Grove, CA 8.0
Marshall Middle Pomona, CA 8.0
San Fernando Institute of Applied Media San Fernando, CA 8.0

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 ranks #1,527 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is West Cottonwood Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

West Cottonwood Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 West Cottonwood Junior High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Cottonwood Junior High has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.3%

District

Cottonwood Union Elementary
District Enrollment
910
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,516
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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