Middle Schools in Montebello Unified

This analysis examines six middle schools (grades 6-8) within the Montebello Unified School District in California, all serving communities with high economic need where between 76% and 94% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Among these schools, Macy Intermediate stands out as the clear top performer, achieving the highest test scores in English, math, and science and boasting an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of just 3.9%. Eastmont Intermediate shows positive momentum with improving rankings and solid attendance. In contrast, Suva Intermediate and Montebello Intermediate face significant academic challenges, consistently ranking in the bottom third of state middle schools.

Overall, the district's middle schools perform below state averages in all core subjects, with a notable 26-point gap in English proficiency between the highest and lowest performing schools. A strong correlation exists between attendance and achievement, as schools with lower chronic absenteeism, like Macy, tend to have much stronger academic results. The analysis found no clear link between higher per-student spending and better outcomes, suggesting that how resources are used is more critical than the amount alone.