- Enrollment
- 2,693
- Students per teacher
- 32.4:1
- Resource Index
- 29/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Irvine, CA
South Lake Middle
Federal NCES profile for South Lake Middle, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 39/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 068450003493
👥 S:T ratio 4
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 23
📋 Attendance 61
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Lake Middle earns 39/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 72% of California schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most California schools.
- #5 of 6
- middle schools in Irvine · Resource Index
- 39
- Resource Index · Typical
- 24.1:1
- large classes for California
- 29.8%
- free-lunch eligible
South Lake Middle has class sizes larger than 72% of California schools. Computed live against every California school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Lake Middle ranks #5 of 6 middle schools in Irvine, CA.
School address
District: Irvine Unified · California
NCES ID 068450003493 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+67 students YoY
South Lake Middle grew from 601 students in 2022-23 to 668 in 2023-24 (+11.1%).
Teacher FTE added 27.2 → 28.3 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+67 students YoY 068450003493 · Irvine, CA Middle · MID · TRAD
652 enr · 24.1:1 · 29.8% lunch · RII 39
Nearest enrollment peer: Portola High (2,693 students)
South Lake Middle grew from 601 students in 2022-23 to 668 in 2023-24 (+11.1%). Teacher FTE added 27.2 → 28.3 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · California schools → · Find another →
South Lake Middle in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Portola High
Portola High
2,693 students
- University Hig
University High
2,307 students
- Northwood High
Northwood High
2,244 students
- Woodbridge Hig
Woodbridge High
2,232 students
- Irvine High
Irvine High
1,964 students
- This school 652
South Lake Middle
652 students
What this shows South Lake Middle reports 652 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Lake Middle compares
South Lake Middle is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs California and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs California | California avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 24.1:1 | ▲ 12% | 21.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 29.8% | ▼ 46% | 55.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 652 | top 27% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
24.1:1
Leaner classes than 6% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
652
Bigger than 77% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
29.8%
free-lunch eligible
- 46% below the California average of 55.5%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
24.1:1
students per teacher
- 12% above state mean
Top 72% in California - lower ratio than 28% of state schools
Well above 20:1, one of the more stretched staffing loads nationally relative to enrollment.
Engagement
15.8%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$14,373
per pupil, district-wide
- below California avg of $18,665
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.7 FTE
Per 386 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
10
in-school suspensions + 27 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 5.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Asian 36.7%
White 31.4%
Hispanic or Latino 16.6%
Two or More 11.0%
African American 3.8%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Largest group: Asian at 36.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 72.6/100
Simpson diversity index - at 72.6, South Lake Middle is more mixed than the California school average of 46.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Irvine Unified reports $14,373 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Lake Middle Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portola High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| University High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Northwood High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Woodbridge High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Irvine High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Lake Middle's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,307
- Students per teacher
- 28.5:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
- Enrollment
- 2,244
- Students per teacher
- 27.7:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 2,232
- Students per teacher
- 24:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 1,964
- Students per teacher
- 25.8:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
Similar middle schools in Irvine
5 comparable middle schools (grades 6-8) serving the same city.
Sierra Vista Middle
Standard public school
1,282 students 31.3:1 students per teacher
Jeffrey Trail Middle
Standard public school
1,049 students 26.9:1 students per teacher
Rancho San Joaquin Middle
Standard public school
860 students 26.9:1 students per teacher
Lakeside Middle
Standard public school
629 students 25.2:1 students per teacher
Venado Middle
Standard public school
506 students 19.5:1 students per teacher
Nationwide middle schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~652 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Lake Middle
How many students attend South Lake Middle?
South Lake Middle has 652 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Irvine, CA. CCD year-over-year: 601 (2022-23) → 668 (2023-24), up 67.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Lake Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South Lake Middle is 24.1:1, which is 12% higher than the California average of 21.5:1 and 54% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Lake Middle?
29.8% of students at South Lake Middle are eligible for free lunch, compared to the California average of 55.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Lake Middle?
The largest demographic group at South Lake Middle is Asian at 36.7% of enrollment, in Irvine, CA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 72.6/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Lake Middle?
South Lake Middle has a Resource Investment Index of 39/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Lake Middle rank among middle schools in Irvine?
By Resource Investment Index, South Lake Middle ranks #5 of 6 middle schools in Irvine, CA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all middle schools in Irvine on the city page.
What other schools are in Irvine Unified?
Besides South Lake Middle, Irvine Unified also operates Portola High (2,693 students), University High (2,307 students), and Northwood High (2,244 students). See the Irvine Unified district page for the complete list.