Below Average
#7698 of 9,533 schools in CA
William Sheppard Middle
Middle School · Alum Rock Union Elementary
480 Rough and Ready Rd., San Jose, CA 95133
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Jose
#172 of 223
public schools
California middle schools
#1,150 of 1,349
In district
#11 of 22
Alum Rock Union Elementary
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About William Sheppard Middle
William Sheppard Middle is a regular public middle school located in San Jose, California. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 463 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at William Sheppard places it around the 21st percentile among California schools based on MySchoolScout's rating system.
In terms of standardized tests, 30% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 19% show proficiency in Math. Despite the current test scores indicating room for improvement, William Sheppard Middle focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where each student can grow and develop. The school's location in the heart of San Jose offers numerous opportunities for students to engage with the vibrant city culture and resources beyond the classroom walls.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
William Sheppard Middle — Students at William Sheppard Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.3%
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 William Sheppard Middle Compares
See how William Sheppard Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 16.63% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 27.75% (2024).
Location
480 Rough and Ready Rd., San Jose, CA 95133
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William Sheppard Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. KIPP San Jose Collegiate (rated 8.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Russo/McEntee Academy (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, James Lick High (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Painter Elementary San Jose | 0.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Foothill High San Jose | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| STELLAR LEARNING ACADEMY San Jose | 0.4 mi | — |
| Russo/McEntee Academy San Jose | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| MERRY HILLS SCHOOL San Jose | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Millard McCollam Elementary San Jose | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Escuela Popular Accelerated Family Learning San Jose | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Escuela Popular/Center for Training and Careers Family Lrng San Jose | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| James Lick High San Jose | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| ST JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC SCHOOL San Jose | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Independence High San Jose | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Toyon Elementary San Jose | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Rocketship Fuerza Community Prep Redwood City | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| ACE Charter High San Jose | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Downtown College Prep - Alum Rock San Jose | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Pegasus High San Jose | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Summerdale Elementary San Jose | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| KIPP San Jose Collegiate San Jose | 1.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Piedmont Middle San Jose | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Linda Vista Elementary San Jose | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95133 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$132,069
Median Home Value
$1,074,300
Median Rent
$2,275/mo
Population
28,561
College Educated
44.3%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
38.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding William Sheppard Middle has a median household income of $132,069. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,074,300, with a median rent of $2,275/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bernardo Yorba Middle Placentia, CA | 4.9 |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville, CA | 4.9 |
| Equitas Academy 4 Los Angeles, CA | 4.9 |
| Herbert C. Green Middle Placerville, CA | 4.9 |
| Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Merced, CA | 4.9 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced, CA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William Sheppard Middle
What grades does William Sheppard Middle serve?
William Sheppard Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend William Sheppard Middle?
William Sheppard Middle has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William Sheppard Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at William Sheppard Middle is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William Sheppard Middle rank in CA?
William Sheppard Middle is ranked #7698 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is William Sheppard Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
William Sheppard 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 William Sheppard Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William Sheppard Middle has 19.1% math proficiency and 30.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William Sheppard Middle a charter school?
No, William Sheppard Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William Sheppard Middle a Title I school?
No, William Sheppard Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William Sheppard Middle?
74.3% of students at William Sheppard 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 (3,210/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Jose). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 463
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Phone
- (408) 928-8800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alum Rock Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 7,367
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,244
- District Rank
- #11 of 22
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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