Sam H. Lawson Middle, Cupertino CA

Original Research by School Decision on Sam H. Lawson Middle

Sam H. Lawson Middle is a regular public school in Cupertino that serves students in grades six through eight. The school sits within the Cupertino Union school district in the heart of Silicon Valley, an affluent, technology-centered community in Santa Clara County where corporate headquarters stand alongside tree-lined residential neighborhoods climbing into the western foothills.

The school's academic performance is strong across the board. In mathematics, proficiency rates climb across the three grades: around eighty-five percent in grade six, and reaching well above eighty-five percent by grades seven and eight. English language arts shows a similar pattern, with grade six in the low to mid-eighties, rising to above eighty-five percent in grades seven and eight. The eighth-grade science assessment, the only science measure available for the school's grade band, shows solid proficiency. A state assessment from an earlier era (2012-13) indicated strong performance in social studies as well. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile relative to other districts in Santa Clara County. In the context of this county, that is a notable positioning, and a parent may view the school as academically solid for a middle grades setting.

The student body totals roughly a medium-sized enrollment for a middle school. The school serves a highly Asian-dominant population; publicly reported census-derived demographics indicate that roughly eighty-three percent of students are Asian, with the remainder distributed across white, multiracial, Hispanic, Black, and other groups. A modest share of students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, suggesting the bulk of the student population comes from households with above-median income for the state. Data on special education enrollment and English learner populations was not available, so a parent interested in understanding how the school supports students with an individualized education plan or those learning English would want to reach out to the school directly.

Cupertino itself is a full-service suburban city with a robust technology economy anchored by Apple and anchored civically by a Civic Center and network of parks. Housing is expensive: home values in the local zip code are significantly above the state benchmark and among the highest in the region. Rents are also steep. The area is car-oriented by default, though the city has been investing in protected bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure, and some walkable pockets exist near the library and small retail centers. Transit through the regional VTA system is available but has been characterized as unreliable by residents relative to driving.

The school is located on Vista Drive in Cupertino's residential area, the setting typical for middle schools in this district. No information was available about staffing, attendance, discipline, or course offerings beyond the state-tested subjects. The district brief did not surface recent parent-relevant changes to district policy or programs, though that does not mean none have occurred. A parent seeking a fuller picture of the school's specific course options, enrichment programs, school culture, or how it approaches areas like social-emotional support would benefit from visiting the school's website or speaking with staff and families directly.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 686%

School 86% · District 85% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▲ 55 pts above state median · ▲ 40 pts above county median

Grade 788%

School 88% · District 86% · ▲ 3 pts above district

▲ 58 pts above state median · ▲ 43 pts above county median

Grade 891%

School 91% · District 86% · ▲ 5 pts above district

▲ 64 pts above state median · ▲ 52 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 684%

School 84% · District 85% · ▼ 1 pts below district

▲ 40 pts above state median · ▲ 26 pts above county median

Grade 787%

School 87% · District 86% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▲ 41 pts above state median · ▲ 31 pts above county median

Grade 890%

School 90% · District 87% · ▲ 3 pts above district

▲ 46 pts above state median · ▲ 36 pts above county median

Science

Grade 885%

School 85% · District 80% · ▲ 6 pts above district

▲ 60 pts above state median · ▲ 49 pts above county median

Social studies

Grade 891%

School 91% · District 84% · ▲ 7 pts above district

▲ 42 pts above state median · ▲ 34 pts above county median

This schoolCupertino Union, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income65%Higher-income88%23 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income73%Higher-income89%16 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income71%Higher-income94%22 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income65%Higher-income90%24 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income78%Higher-income90%13 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income74%Higher-income95%21 pp gap