Bret Harte Middle School: Top-Rated San Jose Academics (2026 List)

About Bret Harte Middle

Bret Harte Middle School at 7050 Bret Harte Drive in the Shadow Brook area of San Jose, CA 95120 serves grades 6–8 with about 910 students and a student–teacher ratio of 21:1. The gender mix is roughly 53% male and 47% female learners. Around 75% are proficient in math, and about 77% are proficient in reading, showing that a notable portion of students meet grade-level expectations on statewide assessments, and the school significantly outperforms district and state averages in both subjects. The campus is part of the San Jose Unified School District and blends core academics with electives, enrichment, and support programs that reflect a broad learning experience. Homes near this part of San Jose generally range from $900,000 to $1.5M, giving families access to established residential neighborhoods with parks, transit, and community services close by. Typical mornings see students arriving and settling into classrooms as lessons begin and collaborative activities flow through the day without long pauses. Placed within California’s wider middle-school landscape, where many of the best middle schools in California continue to focus on improving academic outcomes, Bret Harte Middle School stands out for its strong proficiency and broad academic engagement.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 75%

Reading 77%

State average proficiency is 75% in Math and 77% in Reading.

44

Full-time Teachers

21 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

1

Teachers In First Or Second Year (yrs)

910

Total Students

$58409

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 24.29%

Asian 52.86%

Hispanic 13.63%

Black 1.54%

Two+ Races 7.25%

Native Am. 0.11%

White

24.29%

Asian

52.86%

Hispanic

13.63%

Black

1.54%

Two+ Races

7.25%

Native Am.

0.11%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 910

47.14%

429 Female

52.86%

481 Male

Student Population

910 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 21 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

303 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Bret Harte Middle Contact Information

Address

7050 Bret Harte Dr., San Jose, CA, 95120

View on Map

Phone

(408) 535-6270

Call Now

Website

sjusd.org

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:30 AM - 3:10 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:15 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Bret Harte Middle School will conduct an Information Night for prospective families on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The event is scheduled to take place on campus and is open to families considering enrollment. The session aims to present a comprehensive overview of academic programs, student support services, and campus operations.

FAQ

Q1. What instructional focus guides Bret Harte Middle School?

Ans. Bret Harte Middle School defines its academic focus through a comprehensive middle school curriculum supported by organized classroom instruction.

Q2. What student resources are available at Bret Harte Middle School?

Ans. Bret Harte Middle School makes available student supports such as academic assistance and guidance services alongside counseling support.

Q3. How does Bret Harte Middle School communicate with families?

Ans. Bret Harte Middle School provides families with announcements, schedule notices, and reminders through its communication channels.

Q4. What activities does Bret Harte Middle School list for family awareness, and why does this matter?

Ans. Bret Harte Middle School lists student programs and school activities so families can plan ahead and follow participation across the year.

Q5. What in-class learning tools are used at Bret Harte Middle School?

Ans. Classroom instruction at Bret Harte Middle School uses instructional technology and library-based resources during daily lessons.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

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What Parents Say