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La Mesa-Spring Valley

Near Average2024–25 data21 schools · avg 39.0/100

La Mesa-Spring Valley has 21 ranked schools across elementary and middle levels with an average Scope Score of 39.0/100 — 4.7 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Fletcher Hills Elementary at 60/100, where 39.6% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $13,669 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 21.1%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
39.0
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
41.6
18.8 – 60.4
Avg Exceeded %
18.9%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
21.1%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
21
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryDeveloping
39.5/100
1719.3%20.1%
MiddleDeveloping
37.0/100
417.1%25.6%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in La Mesa-Spring Valley, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
39.5
avg score · 17 schools
+14 more elementary schools
Middle
37.0
avg score · 4 schools
Spring Valley Academy
Developing
33/100
+1 more middle schools

District Analysis

Strongest level: La Mesa-Spring Valley's elementary schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 39.5.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -5.5pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 41.6 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 21.1%, 3.0pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 2.4%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Fletcher Hills Elementary leads the district at 60 with 39.6% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in La Mesa-Spring Valley

6 On the Rise3 Culture First1 Solid Base11 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 6 schools in La Mesa-Spring Valley are classified as On the Rise (6) — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

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

Student demographics

Hispanic
53.6%
White
23.8%
Asian
3.0%
Black
8.0%
Other
11.6%
Free/Reduced Lunch
65%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

La Mesa-Spring Valley spends $13,669 per student in current expenditures — $1,145 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$13,669
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
11,203
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 20.9%
$11,306 → $13,669
Spending Efficiency
2.86
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 61%Support 32%Other 7%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$67,324–$125,159
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
636
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (17)

La Mesa-Spring Valley has 17 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 39.5 — 4.3 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -5.5pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Fletcher Hills Elementary with a Scope Score of 60 and 39.6% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Fletcher Hills Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Solid Base
39.6%Solid
60/100
2Murdock Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Culture First
33.2%Solid
52/100
3Murray Manor Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Culture First
35.2%Solid
51/100
4Lemon Avenue Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
33.2%Developing
48/100
5La Mesa Dale Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
23.2%Developing
46/100
6Maryland Avenue Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Culture First
27.3%Developing
45/100
7Rolando Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley On the Rise
19.9%Developing
44/100
8Sweetwater Springs Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley On the Rise
17.7%Developing
42/100
9Highlands Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley On the Rise
15.2%Developing
42/100
10Loma Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley On the Rise
13.3%Developing
40/100
11Northmont Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
12.9%Developing
38/100
12Avondale Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
13.6%Developing
32/100
13La Presa Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
12.6%Developing
32/100
14Kempton Street Literacy Academy
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
5.1%Needs Support
29/100
15Casa de Oro Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
12.3%Needs Support
27/100
16Rancho Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
8.9%Needs Support
25/100
17Bancroft Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley On the Rise
5.1%Needs Support
19/100

Middle Schools (4)

La Mesa-Spring Valley has 4 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 37.0 — 3.5 points below the state average of 40.5.

Growth averages -1.2pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring middle school is La Mesa Arts Academy with a Scope Score of 50 and 29.6% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1La Mesa Arts Academy
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
29.6%Solid
50/100
2Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
17.3%Developing
36/100
3Spring Valley Academy
La Mesa-Spring Valley Building Momentum
9.2%Developing
33/100
4Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math A
La Mesa-Spring Valley On the Rise
12.1%Needs Support
29/100

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.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about La Mesa-Spring Valley

  • 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 resources are distributed across schools within the district

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

Frequently asked questions

Is La Mesa-Spring Valley a good school district?
La Mesa-Spring Valley has 21 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 39.0/100, which is 4.7 points below the California state average of 43.8. 18.9% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in La Mesa-Spring Valley?
The highest-scoring school in La Mesa-Spring Valley is Fletcher Hills Elementary with a Scope Score of 60/100 and 39.6% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does La Mesa-Spring Valley spend per student?
La Mesa-Spring Valley spends $13,669 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in La Mesa-Spring Valley?
Teacher salaries in La Mesa-Spring Valley range from $67,324–$125,159 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
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-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.