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Schools in 92626 — Costa Mesa, California

92626 has 10 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 53.3 — 9.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 31.9 to 74.6, a 42.7-point spread. 2 schools rank in the 90th percentile or above statewide.

Avg Scope Score
53.3
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
42.7
31.9 – 74.6
Avg Exceeded %
28.8%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
19.0%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
10
With Scope Scores

How 92626 schools perform

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

High-ceiling zip code: Schools here average 28.8% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just meeting proficiency; they're pushing students beyond it.

Declining trajectory: Average proficiency drops by 9.4 percentage points from grade 3 to grade 5 across 92626. This pattern in test scores may reflect a variety of factors and is worth examining school by school.

Chronic absenteeism across 92626 averages 19.0%, near the state average of 18.1%.

How 92626 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 92626
92626Costa Mesa1053.3
92627Costa Mesa842.7-10.5
92630Lake Forest752.2-1.1
92620Irvine972.8+19.6
92618Irvine766.3+13.1

School archetypes in 92626

2 Culture First1 High Ceiling1 Solid Base6 Building Momentum

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

All schools in 92626

#SchoolScoreCountyExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Early College High
Newport-Mesa Unified High Ceiling
75Orange60.0%85.0%13.0%1.1%
2Maude B. Davis Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
70Orange49.7%76.4%8.6%0.3%
3California Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Solid Base
62Orange36.1%66.5%8.9%0.6%
4Costa Mesa High
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
60Orange18.2%42.4%20.5%3.9%
5Adams Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Culture First
58Orange28.0%57.1%12.6%0.7%
6Sonora Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Culture First
50Orange27.7%51.4%13.6%0.4%
7Killybrooke Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
48Orange31.9%57.5%16.3%2.2%
8Paularino Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
40Orange21.2%42.5%19.6%0.5%
9College Park Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
38Orange15.5%40.3%20.7%1.0%
10Monte Vista High/Cloud Campus
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
32Orange0.0%16.7%55.9%3.2%

Schools in 92626 on the map

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 92626

  • 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 10 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 53.3/100, which is 9.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. 28.8% 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 53.3 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (9.5 points above). The exceeded rate averages 28.8% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 19.0% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 31.9 to 74.6, a 42.7-point spread.
How many schools are in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa has 10 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.