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Elementary Schools in La Mesa, California

Near Average2024–25 data12 schools · avg 43.6/100

La Mesa, California has 12 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 43.6/100 — 0.1 points near the California state average of 43.8. 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 22.9% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 17.4% (near the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
43.6
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
27.3
25.1 – 52.5
Avg Exceeded %
22.9%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
17.4%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
12
With Scope Scores

How La Mesa schools compare

La Mesa's 12 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 43.6 — 0.1 points near the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 25.1 to 52.5, a 27.3-point spread.

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 17.4%, 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 La Mesa

3 Culture First9 Building Momentum

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

Schools in La Mesa ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolScoreCountyExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Murdock Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Culture First
52San Diego33.2%58.3%13.2%1.2%
2Grossmont High
Grossmont Union High Building Momentum
52San Diego20.5%40.6%22.0%3.6%
3Murray Manor Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Culture First
51San Diego35.2%59.8%14.6%0.6%
4La Mesa Arts Academy
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
50San Diego29.6%55.9%15.1%2.2%
5Lemon Avenue Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
48San Diego33.2%56.3%15.1%1.5%
6La Mesa Dale Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
46San Diego23.2%45.4%8.9%2.0%
7Maryland Avenue Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Culture First
45San Diego27.3%49.8%12.8%0.9%
8Rolando Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
44San Diego19.9%43.0%18.3%1.8%
9Northmont Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
38San Diego12.9%41.3%19.2%0.5%
10Avocado Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
36San Diego12.5%36.0%21.9%2.9%
11Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
36San Diego17.3%42.5%22.1%8.1%
12Vista La Mesa Academy
Lemon Grove Building Momentum
25San Diego9.8%27.2%25.1%6.1%

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.

Christ Lutheran Elementary
Greek Orthodox · Grades Pre-K-8 · 212 students
18:1Private
Mt. Helix Academy - Tiee
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-8 · 210 students
8:1Private
St. Martin of Tours Academy
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 190 students
18:1Private
Warren-Walker School-La Mesa
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-5 · 90 students
13:1Private
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School
Jewish · Grades Pre-K-7 · 53 students
16:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about La 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 La Mesa good?
La Mesa's 12 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 43.6/100, which is 0.1 points near 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 La Mesa?
The highest-scoring elementary school in La Mesa is Murdock Elementary with a Scope Score of 52/100 and 33.2% 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 La Mesa schools compare to the state average?
La Mesa elementary schools average a Scope Score of 43.6 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (0.1 points near). The exceeded rate averages 22.9% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 17.4% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 25.1 to 52.5, a 27.3-point spread.
How many schools are in La Mesa?
La Mesa has 12 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.

Related

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