Muirlands Middle

Summary:

Muirlands Middle is a high-performing public middle school located in La Jolla, California, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 696 students. As part of the San Diego Unified School District, Muirlands Middle consistently ranks among the top 5% of middle schools in the state, with exceptional academic performance and low chronic absenteeism rates.

Muirlands Middle's students excel on standardized tests, with 78.01% proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy and 68.35% proficient or better in Mathematics, significantly outperforming the district and state averages. The school's strong performance extends across various student subgroups, including Hispanic, White, and students with disabilities, placing it in the top 5-10% of California middle schools in these categories. Additionally, Muirlands Middle has a relatively low percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 18.93% to 25.14% in recent years, lower than many nearby schools.

Muirlands Middle's consistent high performance, with a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of the past decade, suggests a strong educational program and dedicated staff. The school's proximity to other high-performing middle schools, such as Standley Middle and Pacific Beach Middle, highlights the concentration of quality public middle school options in the La Jolla area, providing families with a range of exceptional educational opportunities.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 1056 Nautilus St.
       La Jolla, CA  92037-6299


(858) 459-4211

District: San Diego Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
118th of 2,777 California Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $7,702 Help


Students who attend Muirlands Middle usually attend:

High:    La Jolla High

Feeder schools for Muirlands Middle:

Elementary:    Bird Rock Elementary
    La Jolla Elementary
    Torrey Pines Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  24.5 Help
Number of students:  695

Racial breakdown:

White:
58.3%
Hispanic:
19.6%
Two or more races:
12.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  26.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Muirlands Middle ranks better than 95.8% of middle schools in California. It also ranks 2nd among 23 ranked middle schools in the San Diego Unified School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 96.15. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Muirlands Middle is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (58.3%), Hispanic (19.6%), two or more races (12.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 26.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Muirlands Middle is 24.5. 21 middle schools in the San Diego Unified School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Muirlands Middle employs 28.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Muirlands Middle is $7,702. 15 middle schools in the San Diego Unified School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Muirlands Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Muirlands Middle 118th of 2777 California public middle schools. (See Muirlands Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


San Diego Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks San Diego Unified 604th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Muirlands Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 84.93 202nd 1769 88.6%
2005 81.22 269th 1777 84.9%
2006 80.36 289th 1804 84.0%
2007 77.40 345th 1999 82.7%
2008 75.53 373rd 2005 81.4%
2009 74.72 404th 2063 80.4%
2010 80.76 282nd 2179 87.1%
2011 74.94 416th 2236 81.4%
2012 81.56 261st 2259 88.4%
2013 80.41 308th 2379 87.1%
2015 89.28 239th 2477 90.4%
2016 87.89 275th 2497 89.0%
2017 92.12 189th 2508 92.5%
2018 94.27 138th 2480 94.4%
2019 95.46 117th 2715 95.7%
2022 94.03 169th 2740 93.8%
2023 95.88 123rd 2802 95.6%
2024 96.15 118th 2777 95.8%
See the entire list of California Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.13 35th 462 92.4%
2019 90.63 16th 554 97.1%
2022 79.61 112th 665 83.2%
2023 89.68 35th 678 94.8%
2024 81.10 103rd 699 85.3%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 74.89 151st 1540 90.2%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 97.78 29th 1538 98.1%
2024 99.72 7th 1550 99.5%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 81.58 262nd 2230 88.3%
2019 89.17 154th 2369 93.5%
2022 89.79 149th 2458 93.9%
2023 92.19 134th 2549 94.7%
2024 93.45 135th 2575 94.8%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.70 178th 2262 92.1%
2019 94.01 125th 2380 94.7%
2022 93.14 171st 2509 93.2%
2023 95.87 109th 2547 95.7%
2024 95.14 122nd 2546 95.2%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 98.42 19th 1369 98.6%
2019 96.21 43rd 1491 97.1%
2022 96.57 40th 1531 97.4%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 95.37 109th 2273 95.2%
2019 95.70 102nd 2407 95.8%
2022 93.38 166th 2527 93.4%
2023 94.65 143rd 2558 94.4%
2024 95.32 127th 2547 95.0%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.47 111th 700 84.1%
2019 89.62 9th 745 98.8%
2022 78.77 134th 733 81.7%
2023 81.26 88th 718 87.7%
2024 80.31 111th 741 85.0%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.89 310th 2072 85.0%
2019 87.50 173rd 2213 92.2%
2022 82.38 251st 2359 89.4%
2023 88.43 166th 2391 93.1%
2024 92.95 103rd 2383 95.7%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Muirlands Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 90.85 55th 1496 96.3%
2019 90.31 74th 1602 95.4%
2022 87.88 102nd 1555 93.4%
2023 88.82 92nd 1552 94.1%
2024 88.79 92nd 1535 94.0%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Muirlands Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: California Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Muirlands Middle

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 534 63 39 338 1 n/a n/a 0 975
1989 489 49 45 337 2 n/a n/a 0 922
1990 485 37 47 324 5 n/a n/a 0 898
1991 406 26 45 232 6 n/a n/a 0 715
1992 456 16 38 254 4 n/a n/a 0 768
1993 498 19 41 265 6 n/a n/a 0 829
1994 520 29 53 274 5 n/a n/a 0 881
1995 620 21 70 282 4 n/a n/a 0 997
1996 620 21 70 282 4 n/a n/a 0 997
1997 675 27 95 288 3 n/a n/a 0 1088
1998 669 22 105 245 4 n/a n/a 0 1045
1999 613 21 106 248 5 n/a n/a 0 993
2000 605 17 93 270 7 n/a n/a 0 992
2001 593 16 96 264 3 n/a n/a 0 972
2002 635 18 124 291 4 n/a n/a 0 1072
2003 635 18 124 291 4 n/a n/a 0 1072
2004 624 24 125 304 5 n/a n/a 0 1082
2005 619 30 124 295 4 n/a n/a 0 1072
2006 638 33 109 288 2 n/a n/a 0 1070
2007 594 46 117 292 1 n/a n/a 4 1054
2008 594 37 124 322 3 n/a n/a 0 1080
2009 572 39 115 332 4 17 0 0 1079
2010 561 24 95 334 3 6 25 0 1048
2011 561 30 92 344 0 4 27 0 1058
2012 580 24 92 337 0 4 53 0 1090
2013 561 17 78 304 3 3 65 0 1031
2014 552 11 58 301 2 2 78 0 1004
2015 559 13 74 306 2 1 78 0 1033
2016 576 14 78 319 0 0 88 0 1075
2017 591 14 75 279 0 2 91 0 1052
2018 583 12 67 235 1 3 100 0 1001
2019 528 16 68 209 2 2 99 0 924
2020 500 11 72 179 3 0 89 0 854
2021 436 6 63 165 0 0 80 0 750
2022 431 3 58 166 2 0 70 0 730
2023 405 3 56 156 2 0 73 1 696
2024 405 4 62 136 2 0 85 1 695

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Muirlands Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 975 38.0 25.6 n/a
1989 922 35.8 25.7 n/a
1990 898 36.8 24.4 n/a
1991 715 28.6 25.0 n/a
1992 768 29.1 26.3 24.6
1993 829 32.6 25.4 25
1994 881 34.4 25.6 29.2
1995 997 40.3 24.7 29.7
1996 997 40.3 24.7 29.7
1997 1088 42.7 25.5 28.4
1998 1045 46.0 22.7 21.8
1999 993 45.0 22.1 24.2
2000 992 45.0 22.0 25.3
2001 972 46.0 21.1 19.1
2002 1072 44.0 24.4 23.5
2003 1072 44.0 24.4 23.5
2004 1082 46.3 23.4 24.3
2005 1072 44.6 24.0 25.4
2006 1070 45.9 23.3 26.2
2007 1054 44.3 23.8 27.4
2008 1080 50.5 21.4 30.5
2009 1079 45.4 21.5 33
2010 1048 43.6 24.0 32.2
2011 1058 n/a n/a 32.4
2012 1090 44.1 24.7 n/a
2013 1031 42.6 24.1 26.7
2014 1004 39.2 25.6 24.7
2015 1033 41.0 25.1 25.2
2016 1075 43.0 25.0 25.5
2017 1052 43.6 24.1 23.7
2018 1001 40.6 24.6 21
2019 924 35.8 25.8 20.1
2020 854 n/a n/a 19.7
2021 750 32.4 23.1 18.9
2022 730 28.4 25.6 22.9
2023 696 29.4 23.6 25.1
2024 695 28.3 24.5 26.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Muirlands Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 975 38.0 25.6 n/a
1989 922 35.8 25.7 n/a
1990 898 36.8 24.4 n/a
1991 715 28.6 25.0 n/a
1992 768 29.1 26.3 24.6
1993 829 32.6 25.4 25
1994 881 34.4 25.6 29.2
1995 997 40.3 24.7 29.7
1996 997 40.3 24.7 29.7
1997 1088 42.7 25.5 28.4
1998 1045 46.0 22.7 21.8
1999 993 45.0 22.1 24.2
2000 992 45.0 22.0 25.3
2001 972 46.0 21.1 19.1
2002 1072 44.0 24.4 23.5
2003 1072 44.0 24.4 23.5
2004 1082 46.3 23.4 24.3
2005 1072 44.6 24.0 25.4
2006 1070 45.9 23.3 26.2
2007 1054 44.3 23.8 27.4
2008 1080 50.5 21.4 30.5
2009 1079 45.4 21.5 33
2010 1048 43.6 24.0 32.2
2011 1058 n/a n/a 32.4
2012 1090 44.1 24.7 n/a
2013 1031 42.6 24.1 26.7
2014 1004 39.2 25.6 24.7
2015 1033 41.0 25.1 25.2
2016 1075 43.0 25.0 25.5
2017 1052 43.6 24.1 23.7
2018 1001 40.6 24.6 21
2019 924 35.8 25.8 20.1
2020 854 n/a n/a 19.7
2021 750 32.4 23.1 18.9
2022 730 28.4 25.6 22.9
2023 696 29.4 23.6 25.1
2024 695 28.3 24.5 26.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Muirlands Middle

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $7,702

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Muirlands Middle

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 117th of 2715 Middle schoolsRanks 123rd of 2802 Middle schools
 0.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Muirlands Middle)7975.5
 3.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (San Diego Unified)5450.6
 3.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.544.2
 4.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Muirlands Middle)7671.4
 4.7%
   6th Grade Mathematics (San Diego Unified)46.240.8
 5.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (California)38.533.2
 5.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Muirlands Middle)82.577.2
 5.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (San Diego Unified)57.152.5
 4.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.447.4
 3.9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Muirlands Middle)75.471.2
 4.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (San Diego Unified)4640.9
 5.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (California)37.933.2
 4.7%
8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Muirlands Middle)77.680.9
 3.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (San Diego Unified)53.152.4
 0.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.445.7
 3.8%
8th Grade Mathematics (Muirlands Middle)65.659.6
 6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (San Diego Unified)41.336.9
 4.4%
   8th Grade Mathematics (California)36.629.9
 6.7%
8th Grade Science (Muirlands Middle)64.655.7
 8.8%
   8th Grade Science (San Diego Unified)36.434.8
 1.6%
   8th Grade Science (California)30.828.8
 2.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students924696
 24.7%
African American163
 81.3%
American Indian22
Asian6856
 17.6%
Hispanic209156
 25.4%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White528405
 23.3%
Two or More Races9973
 26.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients20.1%25.1%
 5%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Muirlands Middle

Students who attend Muirlands Middle usually go on to attend La Jolla High

Students at Muirlands Middle are 58% White, 20% Hispanic, 12% Two or more races, 9% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 695 students attended Muirlands Middle.

Yes! Muirlands Middle is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 118th of 2777 California middle schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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