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Elementary Schools in Costa Mesa, California

Near Average2024–25 data18 schools · avg 48.6/100

Costa Mesa, California has 18 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 48.6/100 — 4.8 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Early College High at 75/100, where 60.0% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Costa Mesa schools average 22.9% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 18 schools, 1 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 19.6% (near the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
48.6
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
49.3
25.3 – 74.6
Avg Exceeded %
22.9%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
19.6%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
18
With Scope Scores

How Costa Mesa schools compare

Costa Mesa's 18 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 48.6 — 4.8 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 25.3 to 74.6, a 49.3-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Early College High with a Scope Score of 75 and 60.0% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Costa Mesa averages 19.6%, which is near the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in Costa Mesa

3 Strong All-Around2 Culture First1 High Ceiling12 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Schools in Costa Mesa ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolScore
1Early College High
Newport-Mesa Unified High Ceiling
Strong
75/100
2Maude B. Davis Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Strong All-Around
Strong
70/100
3Heinz Kaiser Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Strong All-Around
Solid
62/100
4California Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Strong All-Around
Solid
62/100
5Costa Mesa High
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Solid
60/100
6Adams Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Culture First
Solid
58/100
7Estancia High
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Solid
57/100
8Sonora Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Culture First
Developing
50/100
9Killybrooke Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Developing
48/100
10Back Bay High
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Developing
46/100
11Everett A. Rea Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Developing
44/100
12Victoria Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Developing
44/100
13Paularino Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Developing
40/100
14College Park Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Developing
38/100
15Pomona Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Developing
37/100
16Monte Vista High/Cloud Campus
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Developing
32/100
17Wilson Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Needs Support
27/100
18Whittier Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
Needs Support
25/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in Costa Mesa

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Mariners Christian School
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-8 · 744 students
13:1Private
St. John the Baptist Catholic School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 492 students
12:1Private
The Waldorf School of Orange County
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-12 · 277 students
9:1Private
Christ Lutheran School
Greek Orthodox · Grades Pre-K-8 · 222 students
14:1Private
Renascence School International
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-9 · 140 students
7:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Costa Mesa

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Costa Mesa good?
Costa Mesa's 18 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 48.6/100, which is 4.8 points above the California state average of 43.8. 22.9% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Costa Mesa?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Costa Mesa is Early College High with a Scope Score of 75/100 and 60.0% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Costa Mesa schools compare to the state average?
Costa Mesa elementary schools average a Scope Score of 48.6 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (4.8 points above). The exceeded rate averages 22.9% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 19.6% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 25.3 to 74.6, a 49.3-point spread.
How many schools are in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa has 18 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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