Victoria Elementary vs Heinz Kaiser Elementary
Heinz Kaiser Elementary has a higher overall rating of 9.1/10 compared to 7.2/10. Heinz Kaiser Elementary is significantly larger with 520 students, about 1.8× the size of Victoria Elementary (293). In math proficiency, Heinz Kaiser Elementary leads at 78.0%.
Victoria Elementary
Costa Mesa, CA
293 students
Heinz Kaiser Elementary
Costa Mesa, CA
520 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Victoria Elementary | Heinz Kaiser Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 7.2 / 10 | 9.1 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.1 | 9.4 |
| Growth Score | 5.7 | 8.8 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 60.8% | 36.2% |
| Environment Score | 9.7 | 9.2 |
| State Rank | #3,132 of 9,539 | #229 of 9,539 |
| State Percentile | 67th | 98th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Victoria Elementary | Heinz Kaiser Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 65.0% | 78.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 67.0% | 71.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Victoria Elementary | Heinz Kaiser Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 6th | 3rd – 6th |
| Enrollment | 293 | 520 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 16.3:1 | 20.8:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 60.8% | 36.2% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 19.5% | 17.1% |
| District | Newport-Mesa Unified | Newport-Mesa Unified |
| City | Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Costa Mesa (92626) | Costa Mesa (92626) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $117,627 | $117,627 |
| Median Home Value | $1,037,700 | $1,037,700 |
| Median Rent | $2,520 | $2,520 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 46.3% | 46.3% |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 8.5% |
| Avg Commute | 22 min | 22 min |
The data story: Victoria Elementary vs Heinz Kaiser Elementary
Victoria Elementary and Heinz Kaiser Elementary sit 2.3 miles apart in Costa Mesa, California, and both rank among the top 3% of California's 9,533 elementary schools — yet the gap between them is meaningful. Heinz Kaiser Elementary holds the stronger state rank at #174 versus Victoria Elementary's #243, a 69-position difference that reflects a consistent performance edge across most measured categories.
That edge is sharpest in academics: Heinz Kaiser Elementary scores 9.4/10 on academic achievement against Victoria Elementary's 8.1/10, a 1.3-point gap on a 10-point scale. Victoria Elementary closes some of that distance on growth — its 9.4/10 growth score outpaces Heinz Kaiser Elementary's 9.0/10, meaning Victoria's students are gaining ground at a faster rate relative to their starting points, which is a meaningful signal of instructional effectiveness even where raw achievement lags.
The two schools differ substantially in size and demographics. Heinz Kaiser Elementary enrolls 520 students compared to Victoria Elementary's 293, and the student-teacher ratio reflects that scale: 20.8:1 at Heinz Kaiser versus 16.3:1 at Victoria — a difference of more than four students per classroom on average. Victoria Elementary also serves a higher-need population, with 61% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch against 36% at Heinz Kaiser Elementary.
One structural distinction shapes everything else: Victoria Elementary serves kindergarten through 6th grade, while Heinz Kaiser Elementary begins at 3rd grade. Families with children entering kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade have no choice but to look elsewhere for those years if Heinz Kaiser is on their list — or plan a mid-elementary transition. Both schools are in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Victoria Elementary
Victoria Elementary suits families with younger children — its KG–06 span means no mid-elementary school change. The lower student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 offers more individual attention, and the stronger growth score of 9.4/10 makes it a particularly good fit for parents whose children may be developing foundational skills and stand to benefit from a setting that visibly moves students forward.
Heinz Kaiser Elementary
Heinz Kaiser Elementary fits families entering at 3rd grade or later who prioritize peak academic achievement — its 9.4/10 academic score and #174 state rank are among the strongest in California. The larger campus of 520 students suits kids who thrive in broader social environments, and the lower free/reduced lunch rate of 36% reflects the different socioeconomic composition of its attendance zone.