Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 90601

Zip code 90601 in Whittier, California, contains one public middle school, Walter F. Dexter Middle, serving grades 6-8 within the Whittier City School District.

This school serves a high-needs population and faces significant academic challenges, consistently performing below both district and state averages. In the 2024-2025 school year, only about 35% of students were proficient in English and 19% in math, with science proficiency at 20%. A major concern is the chronic absenteeism rate of 29%, which is nearly 10 points higher than average and likely impacts learning. Despite these struggles, the school's per-student spending is substantial at over $21,000, indicating resources are present but may not be effectively translating into improved outcomes.

Looking at trends, the school's performance has remained consistently in the lower percentiles statewide for the past three years. Within the school, 7th graders show relative strength compared to other grades, while 8th-grade math scores are particularly low. For parents, this indicates a school with persistent systemic challenges. The Whittier City district itself ranks in the average range statewide, suggesting Walter F. Dexter Middle is a lower-performing school within an otherwise average district, highlighting a need for targeted interventions in attendance and core academic instruction.