Murray Middle

Nestled in Ridgecrest, a small high desert city anchored by the nearby Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Murray Middle serves a community that's a mix of military families and long-time locals — which gives it a uniquely transient but tight-knit feel. Academics here are a work in progress, with scores sitting in the lower quarter statewide, though science shows a bit more strength than the other subjects. Families new to the area, particularly those coming from larger cities, may find the adjustment to a smaller school environment worthwhile for the slower pace of desert life, even as they keep an eye on supplemental learning options.