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Newport-Mesa Unified

Above Average2024–25 data28 schools · avg 55.5/100

Newport-Mesa Unified has 28 ranked schools across elementary and high levels with an average Scope Score of 55.5/100 — 11.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Roy O. Andersen Elementary at 75/100, where 55.7% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $17,937 per student (above the state average of $14,815). 4 schools show positive growth trajectories. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.3%, near the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
55.5
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
50.1
25.3 – 75.4
Avg Exceeded %
29.6%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
16.3%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
28
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementarySolid
54.2/100
2132.0%12.3%
HighSolid
59.1/100
722.5%28.2%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Newport-Mesa Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
54.2
avg score · 21 schools
+18 more elementary schools
High
59.1
avg score · 7 schools
Early College High
Strong
75/100
+4 more high schools

District Analysis

Strongest level: Newport-Mesa Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 59.1.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -2.6pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 50.1 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 16.3%, 1.9pp near the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 1.6%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Roy O. Andersen Elementary leads the district at 75 with 55.7% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Newport-Mesa Unified

4 Strong All-Around4 Growth Engine3 High Ceiling2 Solid Base12 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 5 schools in Newport-Mesa Unified are classified as Growth Engine (4) or On the Rise — 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
50.7%
White
35.2%
Asian
5.1%
Black
0.8%
Other
8.2%
Free/Reduced Lunch
56%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Newport-Mesa Unified spends $17,937 per student in current expenditures — $3,122 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$17,937
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
18,559
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 33.5%
$13,433 → $17,937
Spending Efficiency
3.09
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 58%Support 40%Other 2%
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
$66,494–$159,400
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
1,173
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (21)

Newport-Mesa Unified has 21 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 54.2 — 10.5 points above the state average of 43.8. 4 of 21 elementary schools score above 70.

Growth averages -2.6pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Roy O. Andersen Elementary with a Scope Score of 75 and 55.7% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Roy O. Andersen Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified High Ceiling
55.7%Strong
75/100
2Newport Coast Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified High Ceiling
54.4%Strong
75/100
3Newport Heights Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Growth Engine
47.4%Strong
72/100
4Maude B. Davis Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
49.7%Strong
70/100
5Harbor View Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Strong All-Around
46.6%Solid
69/100
6Mariners Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Growth Engine
44.4%Solid
67/100
7Abraham Lincoln Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Growth Engine
35.6%Solid
65/100
8Heinz Kaiser Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Strong All-Around
38.4%Solid
62/100
9California Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Solid Base
36.1%Solid
62/100
10Newport Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Solid Base
40.3%Solid
61/100
11Adams Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Culture First
28.0%Solid
58/100
12Eastbluff Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Growth Engine
29.3%Solid
51/100
13Sonora Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Culture First
27.7%Developing
50/100
14Killybrooke Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
31.9%Developing
48/100
15Everett A. Rea Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified On the Rise
17.6%Developing
44/100
16Victoria Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
24.4%Developing
44/100
17Paularino Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
21.2%Developing
40/100
18College Park Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
15.5%Developing
38/100
19Pomona Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
12.9%Developing
37/100
20Wilson Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
6.5%Needs Support
27/100
21Whittier Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
7.4%Needs Support
25/100

High Schools (7)

Newport-Mesa Unified has 7 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 59.1 — 11.6 points above the state average of 47.5. 2 of 7 high schools score above 70.

The highest-scoring high school is Corona del Mar High with a Scope Score of 75 and 32.9% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Corona del Mar High
Newport-Mesa Unified Strong All-Around
32.9%Strong
75/100
2Early College High
Newport-Mesa Unified High Ceiling
60.0%Strong
75/100
3Newport Harbor High
Newport-Mesa Unified Strong All-Around
29.6%Solid
69/100
4Costa Mesa High
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
18.2%Solid
60/100
5Estancia High
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
16.9%Solid
57/100
6Back Bay High
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Developing
46/100
7Monte Vista High/Cloud Campus
Newport-Mesa Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Developing
32/100

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 Newport-Mesa Unified

  • 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 Newport-Mesa Unified a good school district?
Newport-Mesa Unified has 28 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 55.5/100, which is 11.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. 29.6% 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 Newport-Mesa Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Newport-Mesa Unified is Roy O. Andersen Elementary with a Scope Score of 75/100 and 55.7% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Newport-Mesa Unified spend per student?
Newport-Mesa Unified spends $17,937 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 Newport-Mesa Unified?
Teacher salaries in Newport-Mesa Unified range from $66,494–$159,400 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.