Elementary Schools in La Mesa, California: 12 schools. Average score 2.1 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.
La Mesa, California has 12 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 41.1/100 — 2.1 points below the state average of 43.2. The highest-scoring school is Murdock Elementary at 52/100, where 33.2% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. La Mesa schools average 20.8% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 14.3% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Schools | Avg Score | Exceeded | vs State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 12 | Developing 41.1/100 | 20.8% | -2.1 |
| High | 2 | Solid 61.8/100 | 30.6% | +18.1 |
| Middle | 2 | Developing 41.9/100 | 23.4% | +1.5 |
How La Mesa schools compare
La Mesa has 12 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 41.1/100 — 2.1 points below the state average of 43.2 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
The top-ranked school is Murdock Elementary with a Scope Score of 52 and 33.2% of students exceeding standard.
Chronic absenteeism in La Mesa averages 14.3% — below the state average of 17.9%.
How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%
School archetypes in La Mesa
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Every school in La Mesa
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helix High Grossmont Union High Strong All-Around | 40.8% | Strong 76/100 |
| 2 | Murdock Elementary La Mesa-Spring Valley Culture First | 33.2% | Solid 52/100 |
| 3 | Murray Manor Elementary La Mesa-Spring Valley Culture First | 35.2% | Solid 51/100 |
| 4 | La Mesa Arts Academy La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum | 29.6% | Developing 50/100 |
| 5 | Lemon Avenue Elementary La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum | 33.2% | Developing 48/100 |
| 6 | Grossmont High Grossmont Union High Building Momentum | 20.5% | Developing 47/100 |
| 7 | La Mesa Dale Elementary La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum | 23.2% | Developing 45/100 |
| 8 | Maryland Avenue Elementary La Mesa-Spring Valley Culture First | 27.3% | Developing 45/100 |
| 9 | Rolando Elementary La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum | 19.9% | Developing 43/100 |
| 10 | The Learning Choice Academy - East County Grossmont Union High Culture First | 18.2% | Developing 42/100 |
| 11 | Northmont Elementary La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum | 12.9% | Developing 37/100 |
| 12 | Sparrow Academy La Mesa-Spring Valley Culture First | 13.1% | Developing 36/100 |
| 13 | JCS - Manzanita San Diego County Office of Education Culture First | 11.5% | Developing 36/100 |
| 14 | Avocado Elementary Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum | 12.5% | Developing 36/100 |
| 15 | Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum | 17.3% | Developing 34/100 |
| 16 | Vista La Mesa Academy Lemon Grove Building Momentum | 9.8% | Needs Support 24/100 |
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 La 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.
Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology