Bernice Ayer Middle School
San Clemente, CA 92673
Phone: (949) 366-9607
Fax: (949) 366-1519
District: Capistrano Unified School District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades 6,7,8 • 919 students
Bernice Ayer Middle School, a public school located in San Clemente, CA, serves grades 6-8 in the Capistrano Unified School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 10 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Bernice Ayer Middle School is a public school located in San Clemente, CA. 919 students attend Bernice Ayer Middle School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 10/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education. |
| Student Growth | 10/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from California Department of Education. |
Posted: September 17, 2025
My kids love it here!! The teachers are amazing
Posted: September 17, 2025
Posted: September 17, 2025
Posted: September 17, 2025
Posted: September 17, 2025
Posted: September 17, 2025
Posted: September 17, 2025
Posted: September 17, 2025
Posted: December 5, 2023
The administrators at this school care more about their reputation and the facade that it is "not your average school" that they will go to any length to protect it. If a site wide issue is pointed out they shame and harass the parent/student reporting the issue rather than work towards fixing the issue. There is school wide bullying that occurs and instead of dealing with it the administration lies to the parent and retaliates against the student so that they no longer feel safe around the Administration, feel as though they are being targeted by the Administration and are fearful of reporting the threats and physical abuse they are suffering at the hands of "celebrated" students. Numerous parents have had the same experience resulting in parents pulling their children out of the school due to the harassment by Administrators. It's a dangerous environment when Administrators will band together to harass a student, lie to their parents and make a child feel unsafe on campus, and the child is the one who suffers.
Posted: December 5, 2023
Posted: December 5, 2023
Posted: December 5, 2023
Posted: December 5, 2023
Posted: December 5, 2023
Posted: December 5, 2023
Posted: December 5, 2023
Posted: December 27, 2022
As a special education parent this school is disappointing. Administration only cares about the high achiever students with their quarterly awards and all the awards they get from the department of education. It is not an inclusive school. There is no additional support to help get caught up with English, Math or improving state/district assessments. The only positive thing I can say is there have been a couple of teachers that truly care about my sons educational needs and support but thats it.
Posted: December 27, 2022
Posted: October 29, 2019
Fantastic. I had high expectations and they have been exceeded.
Posted: October 29, 2019
As a parent we receive daily School Loop updates with our students grades and homework. The amount of work is appropriate.
Posted: October 29, 2019
Amazing teachers and staff that are highly qualified and caring.
Posted: October 29, 2019
Posted: October 29, 2019
Principal is amazing! Nick has this place running on all cylinders.
Posted: October 29, 2019
Posted: October 29, 2019
They have a strong anti-bullying program and is quickly shut down. This is a great environment.
Posted: February 22, 2019
Posted: February 22, 2019
Unfortunately my daughter was bullied, and we found their approach to be ineffective.
Posted: February 22, 2019
Posted: February 22, 2019
Passionate, caring, thoughtful, experienced and inspiring. Our kids LOVE their teachers at BAMS.
Posted: February 22, 2019
I believe the Teachers encourage this, but sadly, some of the administrative policies enforced by Supervisors and administrative leadership dont align with the schools values at all times.
Posted: February 22, 2019
Their policies related to discipline are questionable at best, and Parent communication is unreliable and often missed when necessary.
Posted: February 22, 2019
Teachers are AWESOME. Inspiring and caring. We have struggled with a number of policies and processes set by the Administrative leadership team. Hoping this improves.
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whispering Winds Apartments | Apartment Complex | San Clemente | CA | 2.2 mi | |
| 2 | Copper Canyon | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Murrieta | CA | 23 mi | |
| 3 | The Ranchos | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Murrieta | CA | 23.7 mi | |
| 4 | Amberwalk Townhomes | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Murrieta | CA | 24.7 mi | |
| 5 | Montecito village apartments | Apartment Complex | Oceanside | CA | 25.2 mi | |
| 6 | St. Cloud | Condominium/Townhouse | Oceanside | CA | 25.4 mi | |
| 7 | Mira Costa Estates | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Oceanside | CA | 26.3 mi | |
| 8 | Palisades Pointe | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Carlsbad | CA | 27.8 mi | |
| 9 | Shadowridge | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Vista | CA | 29.9 mi | |
| 10 | Redhawk | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Temecula | CA | 30.5 mi | |
| 11 | Windsor at Aviara | Apartment Complex | Carlsbad | CA | 31.6 mi | |
| 12 | La Costa | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Carlsbad | CA | 32.7 mi | |
| 13 | Rancho Carrillo | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Carlsbad | CA | 32.8 mi | |
| 14 | Torrey Highlands | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 43.6 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downtown | San Clemente | CA | 2.9 mi | |
| 2 | Downtown Oceanside | Oceanside | CA | 23.5 mi | |
| 3 | West Side | murrieta | CA | 24 mi | |
| 4 | Carlsbad | Carlsbad | CA | 26.6 mi | |
| 5 | Murrieta | Murrieta | CA | 27.7 mi | |
| 6 | Lake Rancho Viejo | Fallbrook | CA | 28.9 mi | |
| 7 | Murrieta, California | Murrieta | CA | 29.9 mi | |
| 8 | Temecula, California | Temecula | CA | 29.9 mi | |
| 9 | Encinitas | Encinitas | CA | 35.3 mi | |
| 10 | Torrey Highlands | San Diego | CA | 43.6 mi | |
| 11 | Mira Mesa | San Diego | CA | 47.3 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Camp Pendleton | 15.1 mi. |
| Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station | 33.1 mi. |
| March Air Reserve Base | 36.4 mi. |
| Los Alamitos JFTB | 37.6 mi. |
| Miramar MCAS | 49.8 mi. |
