North Mountain Middle

San Jacinto is a small inland city tucked against the San Jacinto Mountains in Riverside County, where the pace of life is quieter than the sprawling suburbs closer to the coast. North Mountain Middle serves the community's 6th through 8th graders, and while its academic scores sit in the lower range statewide, its science performance stands out relative to its other subjects — a potential bright spot for families with kids who lean toward hands-on, analytical learning. Families rooted in this tight-knit valley community who are looking to supplement classroom learning with tutoring or enrichment programs may find this school a familiar, accessible option close to home.