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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics1.5Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency3.5%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-52.4 pts
Overall Proficiency2%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-25.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,641

Back Bay High — Students at Back Bay High score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 2.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 4.3%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2024
ELA
3.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.0/10
42th percentile in CA
Academic
1.5/10
1.5/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Newport-Mesa Unified
District Enrollment
17,768
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,064
District Rank
#25 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

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