Skip to main content

Very Good

#1896 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 20% in state

Adams Elementary

Elementary School · Newport-Mesa Unified

2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Enrollment

326

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Costa Mesa

#18 of 38

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,327 of 5,817

In district

#18 of 31

Newport-Mesa Unified

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Adams Elementary

Adams Elementary serves 326 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Costa Mesa, California. This regular public school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. Academically, Adams Elementary performs well above average for California schools, ranking #1524 out of 9566 elementary schools statewide and earning a strong 84th percentile placement.

The school demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 56% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 41% of students meeting proficiency standards, presenting opportunities for continued academic development. The school serves a well-established community where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $105,281.

With a low poverty rate of 8.9% and median home values around $962,000, the neighborhood reflects a stable, educated population that values educational investment. Located on Bear Street in Costa Mesa, Adams Elementary sits within Orange County's dynamic mid-size city environment, offering students access to both suburban community feel and broader metropolitan resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.6%
Math vs. State Avg-5.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.8 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+17.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,641

Adams Elementary — Students at Adams Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.9%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 51.9%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
50%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
40.9%
ELA
55.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Adams Elementary Compares

See how Adams Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
80th percentile in CA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Adams Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Victoria Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gisler (Robert) Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Fountain Valley), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PAGE ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Costa Mesa, see our Costa Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
RENASCENCE SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL Costa Mesa 0.4 mi 8.6
Early College High Costa Mesa 0.5 mi 8.3
Montessori Harbor Mesa Elementary Costa Mesa 0.8 mi
THE PEGASUS SCHOOL Huntington Beach 0.9 mi 7.3
Estancia High Costa Mesa 1.1 mi 8.6
Brood of Bees Costa Mesa 1.1 mi
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle Costa Mesa 1.1 mi 8.0
California Elementary Costa Mesa 1.1 mi 7.6
Waldorf School of Orange County Costa Mesa 1.1 mi
THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF ORANGE COUNTY Costa Mesa 1.1 mi 6.8
Wilson Elementary Costa Mesa 1.3 mi 6.7
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Costa Mesa 1.4 mi 6.0
Killybrooke Elementary Costa Mesa 1.3 mi 5.7
MY FIRST MONTESSORI Huntington Beach 1.4 mi 5.6
PAGE ACADEMY Costa Mesa 1.6 mi 7.8
Page Private-Costa Mesa Costa Mesa 1.6 mi
Gisler (Robert) Elementary Fountain Valley 1.5 mi 8.0
CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL-COSTA MESA Costa Mesa 1.4 mi 5.4
My First Montessori Huntington Beach 1.4 mi
Victoria Elementary Costa Mesa 1.6 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92626 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$117,627

Median Home Value

$1,037,700

Median Rent

$2,520/mo

Population

50,569

College Educated

46.3%

Homeownership

42%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Adams Elementary has a median household income of $117,627. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,037,700, with a median rent of $2,520/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aldama Elementary Los Angeles, CA 7.7
Alta Mesa Elementary Redding, CA 7.7
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria, CA 7.7
Arlington Heights Elementary Los Angeles, CA 7.7
Arturo Sanchez Elementary Norwalk, CA 7.7
Bay Elementary San Lorenzo, CA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Adams Elementary

What grades does Adams Elementary serve?

Adams Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Adams Elementary?

Adams Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 326 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Adams Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Adams Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Adams Elementary rank in CA?

Adams Elementary is ranked #1896 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Adams Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Adams Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Adams Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Adams Elementary has 40.9% math proficiency and 51.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Adams Elementary a charter school?

No, Adams Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Adams Elementary a Title I school?

No, Adams Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Adams Elementary?

78.2% of students at Adams Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,601/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Costa Mesa). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Newport-Mesa Unified
District Enrollment
17,768
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,064
District Rank
#18 of 31

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.