Thomas Russell Middle, Milpitas CA

Original Research by School Decision on Thomas Russell Middle

Thomas Russell Middle is a public middle school serving grades seven and eight in Milpitas, a mixed-use Silicon Valley city where residential neighborhoods sit alongside technology campuses and manufacturing zones. The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly Asian, with a substantial Asian plurality, a smaller Hispanic presence, and small numbers of other racial and ethnic groups. About two in five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, Thomas Russell's students showed stronger performance in English language arts than in mathematics. In grade seven ELA, proficiency was notably high. Grade eight ELA proficiency matched that level. Mathematics results were lower: grade seven students achieved proficiency at a somewhat lower rate, and grade eight mathematics proficiency was similar. The school also administered the California Science Test to eighth graders, with proficiency there below the mathematics and ELA results. The most recent statewide social studies assessment data available is from 2013, which showed proficiency at a moderate level; no current social studies assessment results are publicly reported for the state. Science testing is new to California's assessment system, so trend data is not available.

When the school's overall proficiency index is compared to the county districts of Santa Clara County, Thomas Russell sits above the midpoint, indicating performance that is stronger than the median but not among the highest-performing schools in the county.

The school is located in a high-cost housing market where home values are substantially elevated relative to the state and national benchmarks and rents are correspondingly high. Rent now consumes roughly half of median household income in the area, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment for a median home is substantial. The region is experiencing a tech-driven job market centered on major employers like Cisco Systems and KLA, though home affordability remains a significant constraint for families considering relocation.

Milpitas itself is in the midst of rapid growth and housing development. The city is planning to add a large number of new homes over the coming decade, with much of the construction targeted at its southern transit neighborhoods near the BART and VTA light rail stations. This transit-oriented development is intended to create walkable, mixed-use communities, though the broader city remains car-oriented. New zoning for higher residential density in mixed-use areas took effect recently, and redevelopment planning for the Midtown main street corridor is underway.

The school's enrollment is relatively stable at a size typical for a comprehensive middle school. The data provided does not include information about specialized programs, electives, student discipline, attendance patterns, or staff composition, so a parent interested in the school's specific course offerings, support services, or extracurricular landscape would benefit from contacting the school or district directly.

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Academic performance

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

Math

Grade 769%

School 69% · District 65% · ▲ 5 pts above district

▲ 39 pts above state median · ▲ 24 pts above county median

Grade 867%

School 67% · District 63% · ▲ 5 pts above district

▲ 40 pts above state median · ▲ 28 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 777%

School 77% · District 76% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▲ 31 pts above state median · ▲ 21 pts above county median

Grade 877%

School 77% · District 75% · ▲ 2 pts above district

▲ 33 pts above state median · ▲ 23 pts above county median

Science

Grade 861%

School 61% · District 58% · ▲ 3 pts above district

▲ 36 pts above state median · ▲ 25 pts above county median

Social studies

Grade 864%

School 64% · District 66% · ▼ 2 pts below district

▲ 15 pts above state median · ▲ 7 pts above county median

This schoolMilpitas Unified, 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 7Lower-income56%Higher-income89%33 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income61%Higher-income88%26 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 7Lower-income47%Higher-income82%35 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income45%Higher-income83%38 pp gap