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
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Adams Elementary — Students at Adams Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 39.88% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 55.63% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (714) 424-7935
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport-Mesa Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,768
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,064
- District Rank
- #18 of 31
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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