Top Rankings
Sierra Sands Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public middle schools serving 1,228 students in Sierra Sands Unified School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in California.
Public Middle Schools in Sierra Sands Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
11 Schools
3,501 Schools
# Students
5,122 Students
1,854,363 Students
# Teachers
241 Teachers
87,821 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Sierra Sands Unified School District, which is ranked #1072 of all 1,910 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 78% has decreased from 86% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1028 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
26%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
29%
Graduation Rate
78%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.64
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
3%
11%
% Hispanic
33%
55%
% Black
7%
5%
% White
49%
22%
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,944 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,945 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$102 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$71 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,944
$19,974
Spending / Student
$13,945
$18,396
Best Sierra Sands Unified School District Public Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Murray Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 East Drummond Ave.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(760) 499-1820
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(760) 499-1820
Gr: 6-8 | 686 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #22.
James Monroe Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
340 West Church St.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(760) 499-1830
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(760) 499-1830
Gr: 6-8 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
