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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best San Luis Obispo County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public middle schools serving 6,966 students in San Luis Obispo County, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in San Luis Obispo County, CA are Cayucos Elementary School, Laguna Middle School and Los Osos Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
San Luis Obispo County, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in San Luis Obispo County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in San Luis Obispo County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cayucos Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
301 Cayucos Dr.
Cayucos, CA 93430
(805) 995-3694
Gr: K-8 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #22.
Laguna Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11050 Los Osos Valley Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4055
Gr: 7-8 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #33.
Los Osos Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1555 El Moro St.
Los Osos, CA 93402
(805) 534-2835
Gr: 6-8 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #44.
Templeton Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
925 Old County Rd.
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-5813
Gr: 6-8 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Fine Arts Academy
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6100 Olmeda Ave.
Atascadero, CA 93422
(805) 460-2500
Gr: 4-8 | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Paulding Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
600 Crown Hill St.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 474-3500
Gr: 7-8 | 544 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #77.
San Luis County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3360 Education Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 593-3186
Gr: K-12 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #88.
San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1065 Kansas Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 781-5395
Gr: 6-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #99.
Judkins Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
680 Wadsworth St.
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(805) 474-3600
Gr: 7-8 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1010.
Atascadero Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6501 Lewis Ave.
Atascadero, CA 93422
(805) 462-4360
Gr: 6-8 | 845 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1111.
Almond Acres Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1145 Niblick Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 221-8550
Gr: K-8 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
Paso Robles Independent Study Center
Alternative School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2405 Spring St.
Paso Robles, CA 93447
(805) 769-1675
Gr: K-8 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1313.
Cappy Culver Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
11011 Heritage Ranch Loop Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 227-1040
Gr: K-8 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1414.
Pacific View Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1065 Mesa View Dr.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 474-3580
Gr: K-12 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1515.
Lewis Flamson Junior High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2405 Spring St.
Paso Robles, CA 93447
(805) 769-1400
Gr: 7-8 | 884 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1616.
Santa Lucia Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2850 Schoolhouse Ln.
Cambria, CA 93428
(805) 927-3693
Gr: 6-8 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1717.
Lillian Larsen Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1601 L St.
San Miguel, CA 93451
(805) 467-3216
Gr: K-8 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1818.
Mesa Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2555 Halcyon Rd.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 474-3400
Gr: 7-8 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1919.
Templeton Home
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
964 Old County Rd.
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-5833
Gr: K-8 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #2020.
San Luis Obispo County Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2494 Pennington Creek Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 782-7354
Gr: 6-12 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2121.
Shandon Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
301 South First St.
Shandon, CA 93461
(805) 238-1782
Gr: K-8 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
Peep - Prepare
Special Education School
1500 Lizzie St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 549-1220
Gr: K-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 64%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in San Luis Obispo County, CA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in San Luis Obispo County, CA include Cayucos Elementary School, Laguna Middle School and Los Osos Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in San Luis Obispo County?
22 public middle schools are located in San Luis Obispo County.
What is the racial composition of students in San Luis Obispo County?
San Luis Obispo County public middle schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in San Luis Obispo County are often viewed compared to one another?

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