Average
#5574 of 9,533 schools in CA
Back Bay High
High School · Newport-Mesa Unified
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Enrollment
150
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
150
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Costa Mesa
#30 of 38
public schools
California high schools
#1,195 of 1,892
In district
#25 of 31
Newport-Mesa Unified
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Back Bay High
Back Bay High, an alternative high school in Costa Mesa, California, serves students from ninth to twelfth grade. With a student body of 150 and a dedicated teaching staff of 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers a supportive learning environment with an individualized student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1. Located in a mid-size city, Back Bay High focuses on meeting the unique needs of its diverse student population.
The academic performance at Back Bay High currently sits in the lower tier among California schools, ranking at number 7994 out of 9566 institutions, which places it around the 16th percentile. While test scores for ELA and Math are relatively low, with only 4% and 2% of students proficient or above respectively, the school is dedicated to fostering student development and academic growth through its tailored educational programs. Back Bay High is situated in a vibrant community within Costa Mesa, offering students access to various cultural and recreational amenities nearby.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 150 students, Back Bay High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Back Bay High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Back Bay High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Back Bay High — Students at Back Bay High score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Back Bay High Compares
See how Back Bay High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 0% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 3.51% (2024).
Location
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Back Bay High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Corona del Mar High (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Monte Vista Independent Study (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Costa Mesa High (rated 6.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Costa Mesa, see our Costa Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Villages Preparatory Costa Mesa | 1.0 mi | — |
| Heinz Kaiser Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.9 mi | 9.0 |
| NEWPORT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newport Beach | 0.9 mi | — |
| Eastbluff Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| 2e4Me Academy Newport Beach | 1.1 mi | — |
| Woodland Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| WOODLAND CHILD DEVT CENTER Costa Mesa | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Maude B. Davis Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Monte Vista Independent Study Costa Mesa | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Suncoast Preparatory Academy Newport Beach | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Orange County Special Education Costa Mesa | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| ACCESS County Community Costa Mesa | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| College Park Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Sonora Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Costa Mesa High Costa Mesa | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Corona del Mar High Costa Mesa | 1.6 mi | 8.3 |
| MARINERS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Costa Mesa | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Our Lady Queen of Angels School Newport Beach | 1.7 mi | — |
| OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS SCHOOL Newport Beach | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| NEWPORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport Beach | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
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 Back Bay High 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 |
|---|---|
| Amistad High (Continuation) Indio, CA | 6.0 |
| Calvine High Sacramento, CA | 6.0 |
| Central Coast High Seaside, CA | 6.0 |
| George and Evelyn Stein Continuation Tracy, CA | 6.0 |
| La Paloma High (Continuation) Brentwood, CA | 6.0 |
| Live Oak High (Continuation) Antioch, CA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Back Bay High
What grades does Back Bay High serve?
Back Bay High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Back Bay High?
Back Bay High has an enrollment of approximately 150 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Back Bay High?
The student-teacher ratio at Back Bay High is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Back Bay High rank in CA?
Back Bay High is ranked #5574 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Back Bay High's MySchoolScout rating?
Back Bay High has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Back Bay High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Back Bay High has 2.5% math proficiency and 4.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Back Bay High a charter school?
No, Back Bay High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Back Bay High a Title I school?
No, Back Bay High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Back Bay High?
84.0% of students at Back Bay High 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
- City Safety
- High (3,601/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Costa Mesa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 150
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 515-6900
- 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
- #25 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.
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