How strong are the public middle schools in Riverside?
With a fresh school year kicking off, we analyzed newly released data from Niche.com — which include comprehensive report cards, rankings and reviews — to identify those schools that made the biggest strides last year and those that lead their peers.
University Heights Middle School's overall rating improved the most among similar schools in Riverside, rising from a C to a B-, according to data from Niche.
For the 2019-2020 school year, the school, located at 1155 Massachusetts Ave., enrolls 801 students. University Heights Middle School serves a diverse population: 76% of students identify as Hispanic. Niche graded the school a C for academics (on an A-D scale).
The overall ranking comes from Niche's proprietary algorithms. A school's ranking might change due to many factors, including the relative rankings of similar schools and whether a school gained or lost peers due to openings or closings. Other numbers come from current public data from the U.S. government.
Academically, 16% of University Heights Middle School's students scored as proficient or above in math, and 31% did so in reading. That's compared to city averages of 30% in math and 41% in reading. The school's improved overall rating is notable in that it serves a less-affluent population, with 89% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, 16% more than the city average.
It's not the only school that's climbed Niche's rankings this year. Ysmael Villegas Middle School saw its overall rating jump from a B- to a B. The school is located at 3754 Harvill Lane and is a bit larger, currently serving 1,362 students, of whom 63% identify as Hispanic and 20% identify as white.
Niche graded Ysmael Villegas Middle School a B for academics on an A-D scale. The school's latest math proficiency was at 39%, and reading proficiency was 45%.
Loma Vista Middle School also improved, from C to C+. The school is located at 11050 Arlington Ave. and has 1,033 students currently enrolled, of whom 90% identify as Hispanic.
Niche graded Loma Vista Middle School a C+ for academics on an A-D scale. Its latest math proficiency was at 28%, and reading proficiency was 38%. The school also serves a less-affluent community, with 88% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
While some public middle schools in Riverside are moving up the ranks, others are consistently top-rated overall, including:
- Amelia Earhart Middle School, with an overall rating of A-.
- Frank Augustus Miller Middle School, with an A- rating overall.
- Matthew Gage Middle School, rated B+ overall.
Want more of the latest intel on Riverside schools? Hoodline also analyzed the latest Niche ratings for the city's public high schools.
This story was created automatically using data from Niche.com, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback.
