Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez Prep Academy, San Bernardino CA

Original Research by School Decision on Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez Prep Academy

Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez PREP Academy is a middle school serving grades six through eight in San Bernardino. The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. English learner status and special education enrollment data were not available.

On state assessments administered in spring 2025, the school's proficiency in English language arts is notably strong across all three grade levels, with results ranging from high to very high. Mathematics proficiency is moderate, with sixth grade performing better than seventh and eighth grades. Science proficiency, measured only in grade eight, is below fifty percent. Data for social studies comes from a 2013 state assessment and is not current. Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places the school in the top quartile among districts in San Bernardino County.

The school's English language arts results suggest that students are developing solid skills in reading and writing. Mathematics performance shows a pattern of decline across the grade span, which a parent may want to look into further with the school to understand whether this reflects curriculum scope, teaching approaches, or changing student readiness as students advance. Science proficiency at the eighth-grade level indicates room for improvement in that subject and deserves attention if science engagement is important to your family.

Rodriguez PREP Academy sits in a city neighborhood with mixed residential and commercial character. San Bernardino has distinct districts including downtown, residential neighborhoods ranging from urban rentals to mid-century tree-lined blocks, and foothill areas with larger homes. The downtown area hosts civic anchors including the Feldheym Library and the restored Santa Fe Depot train station, which serves as a cultural center and museum. The city is experiencing retail and commercial growth, and the downtown area is undergoing planned redevelopment that includes infill residential buildings and mixed-use structures.

The school is part of San Bernardino City Unified, which serves both San Bernardino and Highland. The district adopted Vision 2030: SBCUSD SHINES in April 2024, a strategic plan setting direction across academics, college and career readiness, equity, student wellness, and safe learning environments. Most notably for families planning high school, the district has built its high school program around Linked Learning career pathways that integrate college-prep academics with career-technical education, work-based learning, and dual enrollment. The district holds multiple gold-certified pathways, a significant structural commitment to connecting classroom learning with career exploration.

Housing in the 92404 zip code where the school is located has modest home values relative to state and national benchmarks. Rent is moderate, and the rental market shows slight year-over-year appreciation. This positioning makes the area relatively affordable within California, though families should verify current availability and specific neighborhoods with a local agent.

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Academic performance

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

Math

Grade 672%

School 72% · District 24% · ▲ 48 pts above district

▲ 42 pts above state median · ▲ 50 pts above county median

Grade 767%

School 67% · District 24% · ▲ 43 pts above district

▲ 37 pts above state median · ▲ 47 pts above county median

Grade 863%

School 63% · District 23% · ▲ 40 pts above district

▲ 35 pts above state median · ▲ 44 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 684%

School 84% · District 38% · ▲ 46 pts above district

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

Grade 782%

School 82% · District 38% · ▲ 44 pts above district

▲ 36 pts above state median · ▲ 44 pts above county median

Grade 885%

School 85% · District 39% · ▲ 45 pts above district

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

Science

Grade 850%

School 50% · District 22% · ▲ 29 pts above district

▲ 25 pts above state median · ▲ 30 pts above county median

Social studies

Grade 862%

School 62% · District 37% · ▲ 25 pts above district

▲ 13 pts above state median · ▲ 18 pts above county median

This schoolSan Bernardino City 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 6Lower-income84%Higher-income85%0 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income81%Higher-income93%12 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income84%Higher-income87%3 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income72%Higher-income69%3 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income66%Higher-income79%12 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income61%Higher-income76%16 pp gap