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Placerita Junior High

Q: Is Placerita Junior High a good school?

Placerita Junior High ranks 615 th of 2740 California middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 7-8

615^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,740 California Middle Schools

Better than 78% of California middle schools

Summary

Placerita Junior High is a public school serving 940 students in grades 7–8 in Newhall, in William S. Hart Union High School District. Its strongest academic result is English language arts (ELA), while science is its clearest relative weakness: in 2025–2026, the school was above state proficiency in all three subjects, but its science results lagged both the district and nearby schools.

ELA stands out compared with local schools, while math and science trail them. Placerita’s proficiency was about 64% in ELA, 46% in math and 40% in science; state rates were about 49%, 38% and 36%. Compared with the district, Placerita was 7 percentage points lower in ELA, 6 lower in math and 11 lower in science. Among nine nearby schools with current-year results, Placerita’s ELA was essentially level with the average of about 64%, but its math and science were lower by 4 and 6 points. Seventh graders did better than eighth graders, especially in math: 51% versus 40%, making eighth-grade math a particular area to watch.

Results have improved overall in ELA and math since 2022–2023, but science has declined: ELA rose about 3 points and math about 3, while science fell about 3. The science lead over the state narrowed from 13 points to 4. SchoolDigger ranks Placerita in the 78th percentile for 2025–2026, down from the 83rd percentile in 2023–2024; it has kept its 4-star rating. Four of nine nearby schools with current ranks are higher, three lower and two tied at the 76th percentile; Rancho Pico Junior High is among the higher-ranked schools. The 2024–2025 student-teacher ratio was 21.3, close to the nearby average of 21.7. In that year, 54% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible, compared with a nearby average of about 50%. Chronic absenteeism was also lower than state and district rates in 2025–2026: 11%, versus 18% statewide and 13% in the district. SchoolDigger’s statewide rankings point to changes worth watching in how well the school serves particular groups: its Low Socio Economic Status Students ranking fell from the 81st percentile in 2024–2025 to the 66th in 2025–2026, and its Homeless Students ranking dropped from the 93rd percentile in 2023–2024 to the 77th in 2025–2026.

940

Students ?

21.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,777

Per pupil spending ?

53.6%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

25015 North Newhall Ave.
Newhall, CA 91321-1098

(661) 259-1551

District: William S. Hart Union High

Students who attend Placerita Junior High usually attend:

High:	Academy of the Canyons
	William S. Hart High

Feeder schools for Placerita Junior High:

Elementary:	Meadows Elementary
	Newhall Elementary
	Old Orchard Elementary
	Peachland Avenue Elementary
	More...
	Valencia Valley Elementary

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

64.9%

White:

27.7%

Asian:

3.8%

See top rated California middle schools

Compare Placerita Junior High to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 81st percentile in 2015 → 78th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (52% vs 42% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 22% of California middle schools

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg59%

California avg42%

615^th of 2,740

California public middle schools ?

Top 22%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of California Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 6Middle Schools in the William S. Hart Union High

245^th of 1,530William S. Hart Union High among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	72.9	615 of 2740	77.6%	★★★★☆
2025	78.1	514 of 2761	81.4%	★★★★☆
2024	80.0	478 of 2783	82.8%	★★★★☆
2023	77.7	534 of 2781	80.8%	★★★★☆
2022	69.9	683 of 2740	75.1%	★★★★☆
2019	83.0	412 of 2715	84.8%	★★★★☆
2018	76.2	507 of 2480	79.6%	★★★★☆
2017	75.8	556 of 2508	77.8%	★★★★☆
2016	77.3	502 of 2497	79.9%	★★★★☆
2015	77.9	473 of 2477	80.9%	★★★★☆
2013	79.0	348 of 2379	85.4%	★★★★☆
2012	83.9	212 of 2259	90.6%	★★★★★
2011	85.1	192 of 2236	91.4%	★★★★★
2010	86.3	167 of 2179	92.3%	★★★★★
2009	85.2	191 of 2063	90.7%	★★★★★
2008	85.1	194 of 2005	90.3%	★★★★★
2007	89.1	143 of 1999	92.8%	★★★★★
2006	81.4	267 of 1804	85.2%	★★★★☆
2005	83.8	221 of 1777	87.6%	★★★★☆
2004	84.1	219 of 1769	87.6%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	67.2	307 of 1531	79.9%	★★★★☆
2019	98.2	25 of 1491	98.3%	★★★★★
2018	81.6	150 of 1369	89.0%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	58.7	286 of 1478	80.6%	★★★★☆
2023	45.3	565 of 1521	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	64.2	245 of 1540	84.1%	★★★★☆
2019	47.8	477 of 1442	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.2	429 of 1364	68.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	72.0	587 of 2516	76.7%	★★★★☆
2025	76.9	504 of 2533	80.1%	★★★★☆
2024	76.1	524 of 2551	79.5%	★★★★☆
2023	73.8	541 of 2531	78.6%	★★★★☆
2022	70.5	602 of 2509	76.0%	★★★★☆
2019	82.1	390 of 2380	83.6%	★★★★☆
2018	79.6	417 of 2262	81.6%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	67.5	582 of 2357	75.3%	★★★★☆
2025	78.4	355 of 2395	85.2%	★★★★☆
2024	81.6	292 of 2388	87.8%	★★★★☆
2023	76.5	370 of 2374	84.4%	★★★★☆
2022	71.0	475 of 2359	79.9%	★★★★☆
2019	82.4	260 of 2213	88.3%	★★★★☆
2018	67.6	499 of 2072	75.9%	★★★★☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	65.3	100 of 442	77.4%	★★★★☆
2025	81.1	46 of 477	90.4%	★★★★★
2024	81.8	29 of 394	92.6%	★★★★★
2023	90.5	18 of 320	94.4%	★★★★★
2022	82.8	27 of 336	92.0%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	58.0	860 of 2529	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	72.7	485 of 2542	80.9%	★★★★☆
2024	69.6	544 of 2579	78.9%	★★★★☆
2023	66.3	607 of 2531	76.0%	★★★★☆
2022	57.8	788 of 2458	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.5	479 of 2369	79.8%	★★★★☆
2018	59.8	706 of 2230	68.3%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	71.1	600 of 2514	76.1%	★★★★☆
2025	76.6	490 of 2534	80.7%	★★★★☆
2024	81.0	408 of 2552	84.0%	★★★★☆
2023	79.2	456 of 2538	82.0%	★★★★☆
2022	68.0	656 of 2527	74.0%	★★★★☆
2019	81.6	394 of 2407	83.6%	★★★★☆
2018	71.4	563 of 2273	75.2%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	65.4	254 of 726	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.6	287 of 701	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.0	284 of 677	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	68.9	176 of 554	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	69.6	148 of 462	68.0%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	55.3	518 of 1605	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	47.1	637 of 1566	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	68.8	296 of 1552	80.9%	★★★★☆
2023	68.9	278 of 1531	81.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	84.8	143 of 1490	90.4%	★★★★★
2025	87.1	101 of 1520	93.4%	★★★★★
2024	84.9	153 of 1537	90.0%	★★★★★
2023	83.9	169 of 1543	89.0%	★★★★☆
2022	74.3	338 of 1555	78.3%	★★★★☆
2019	88.3	113 of 1602	92.9%	★★★★★
2018	84.5	169 of 1496	88.7%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2026)90th percentile+13 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)81st percentile~ school

Disabled (2022)80th percentile+5 vs school

Homeless (2026)77th percentile~ school

Female (2026)77th percentile~ school

Male (2026)76th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)75th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)68th percentile-10 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)66th percentile-12 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)65th percentile-16 vs school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy64%+14 vs state

Mathematics46%+7 vs state

Science40%+4 vs state

★

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Schools Near Placerita Junior High

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CAST Science (2026)		Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2026)				Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Placerita Junior High	Public	7-8	25015 North Newhall Ave.	Newhall	91321	Los Angeles County	William S. Hart Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(661) 259-1551	940	44	21.3	53.6%	260 (27.7%)	10 (1.1%)	610 (64.9%)	36 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (2.6%)	72.9	615^th of 2740 public middle schools	77.6%		78.1	514^th of 2761 public middle schools	81.4%	101	40.4	40.4		65.6	61.6	63.7		50.9	40.0	45.7	$16,777	$902	$15,875
Rancho Pico Junior High	Public	7-8	26250 West Valencia Blvd.	Stevenson Ranch	91381	Los Angeles County	William S. Hart Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(661) 284-3260	842	36	23.5	13.4%	289 (34.3%)	37 (4.4%)	194 (23.0%)	252 (29.9%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	68 (8.1%)	94	167^th of 2740 public middle schools	93.9%		95.5	134^th of 2761 public middle schools	95.1%	33	58.1	58.1		82.2	77.9	80.1		71.7	63.0	67.4	$16,676	$1,178	$15,498
La Mesa Junior High	Public	7-8	26623 May Way	Santa Clarita	91351	Los Angeles County	William S. Hart Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(661) 250-0022	1,017	50	20.2	47.8%	180 (17.7%)	79 (7.8%)	578 (56.8%)	133 (13.1%)	3 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	42 (4.1%)	70.8	668^th of 2740 public middle schools	75.6%		67.3	735^th of 2761 public middle schools	73.4%	67	36.6	36.6		60.2	62.5	61.4		48.5	45.4	46.8	$17,141	$1,979	$15,162
Arroyo Seco Junior High	Public	7-8	27171 North Vista Delgado Dr.	Valencia	91354	Los Angeles County	William S. Hart Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(661) 296-0991	1,239	51	24.3	17.2%	472 (38.1%)	37 (3.0%)	473 (38.2%)	164 (13.2%)	4 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	89 (7.2%)	84	391^st of 2740 public middle schools	85.7%		86.9	337^th of 2761 public middle schools	87.8%	54	49.3	49.3		67.6	67.3	67.5		53.9	58.0	55.9	$15,432	$801	$14,631
Sierra Vista Junior High	Public	7-8	19425 West Stillmore St.	Canyon Country	91351	Los Angeles County	William S. Hart Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(661) 252-3113	946	46	20.4	43.4%	211 (22.3%)	23 (2.4%)	651 (68.8%)	35 (3.7%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	23 (2.4%)	55.6	1041^st of 2740 public middle schools	62.0%		59	930^th of 2761 public middle schools	66.3%	111	33.9	33.9		55.9	46.1	50.7		38.7	37.5	38.0	$17,518	$1,194	$16,324
Rio Norte Junior High	Public	7-8	28771 Rio Norte Dr.	Santa Clarita	91354	Los Angeles County	William S. Hart Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(661) 295-3700	1,138	47	24.0	17.0%	436 (38.3%)	54 (4.7%)	282 (24.8%)	294 (25.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	70 (6.2%)	93.3	188^th of 2740 public middle schools	93.1%		92	227^th of 2761 public middle schools	91.8%	39	60.5	60.5		83.3	71.8	77.5		72.4	61.1	66.7	$16,895	$1,655	$15,240
Robert Frost Middle	Public	6-8	12314 Bradford Pl.	Granada Hills	91344	Los Angeles County	Los Angeles Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(818) 832-6900	1,505	63	23.8	54.1%	498 (33.1%)	49 (3.3%)	749 (49.8%)	138 (9.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	70 (4.7%)	91.8	222^nd of 2740 public middle schools	91.9%		91.7	232^nd of 2761 public middle schools	91.6%	10	60.6	60.6	71.7	77.0	72.1	73.6	63.0	66.0	61.0	63.4	$19,766	$1,784	$17,982
Olive Vista Middle	Public	6-8	14600 Tyler St.	Sylmar	91342	Los Angeles County	Los Angeles Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(818) 833-3900	897	49	18.2	88.7%	15 (1.7%)	11 (1.2%)	856 (95.4%)	8 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (0.8%)	39.1	1532^nd of 2740 public middle schools	44.1%		39.5	1501^st of 2761 public middle schools	45.6%	31	29.5	29.5	35.5	39.8	46.1	40.3	26.2	25.8	35.6	29.2	$25,464	$2,484	$22,980
Castaic Middle	Public	7-8	28900 Hillcrest Pkwy.	Castaic	91384	Los Angeles County	Castaic Union	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(661) 257-4550	451	20	22.7	50.8%	157 (34.8%)	12 (2.7%)	216 (47.9%)	29 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (8.0%)	69	713^th of 2740 public middle schools	74.0%		71.2	645^th of 2761 public middle schools	76.6%	68	46.0	46.0		66.8	59.2	62.9		39.2	36.6	37.9	$17,524	$317	$17,207
Patrick Henry Middle	Public	6-8	17340 San Jose St.	Granada Hills	91344	Los Angeles County	Los Angeles Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(818) 832-3870	1,053	59	17.9	76.2%	124 (11.8%)	43 (4.1%)	765 (72.6%)	75 (7.1%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	42 (4.0%)	71	665^th of 2740 public middle schools	75.7%		59.8	911^th of 2761 public middle schools	67.0%	246	46.8	46.8	49.0	67.8	64.8	60.4	41.0	44.6	43.7	43.1	$23,793	$2,383	$21,410

Frequently Asked Questions about Placerita Junior High

Is Placerita Junior High a good school?

Placerita Junior High ranks 615^th of 2740 California middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Placerita Junior High?

Students at Placerita Junior High are 65% Hispanic, 28% White, 4% Asian, 3% Two or more races, 1% African American.

How many students attend Placerita Junior High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 940 students attended Placerita Junior High.

What district is Placerita Junior High in?

William S. Hart Union High

What high school do graduates of Placerita Junior High attend?

Students who attend Placerita Junior High usually go on to attend Academy of the Canyons

Rate Placerita Junior High!

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Latest California data All new data »

2024–25 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 15, 2026

2025–26 CAST, CSA Spanish & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresOct 15, 2026

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.