Excellent
#155 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 2% in state
California Elementary
Elementary School · Newport-Mesa Unified
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Enrollment
366
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
366
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#155 of 9,539
In Costa Mesa
#3 of 39
public schools
In district
#3 of 31
Newport-Mesa Unified
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around California Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
California Elementary
Elementary School in Costa Mesa · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Brood of Bees
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About California Elementary
California Elementary is a public elementary school in Costa Mesa, CA, part of Newport-Mesa Unified. California Elementary serves approximately 366 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. California Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #155 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for California Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 9.2 · Excellent
- District avg 8.2
- CA avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
California Elementary — Students at California Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 34 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: 9.4/10.
How California Elementary Compares
See how California Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering California Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Adams Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Killybrooke Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Gisler (Robert) Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Fountain Valley), a more accessible option. For more schools in Costa Mesa, see our Costa Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charles W. Tewinkle Middle Costa Mesa | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Brood of Bees Costa Mesa | 0.3 mi | — |
| Montessori Harbor Mesa Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.6 mi | — |
| Early College High Costa Mesa | 0.6 mi | 9.5 |
| RENASCENCE SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL Costa Mesa | 0.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Killybrooke Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Adams Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Calvary Chapel Private School Program Santa Ana | 1.1 mi | — |
| CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL-COSTA MESA Costa Mesa | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Gisler (Robert) Elementary Fountain Valley | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Cox (James H.) Elementary Fountain Valley | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Paularino Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| THE PEGASUS SCHOOL Huntington Beach | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Costa Mesa High Costa Mesa | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| MY FIRST MONTESSORI Huntington Beach | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Jim Thorpe Fundamental Santa Ana | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| FOUNTAIN VALLEY MONTESSORI CENTER Fountain Valley | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Costa Mesa | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Greenville Fundamental Elementary Santa Ana | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| My First Montessori Huntington Beach | 1.6 mi | — |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. G. Cook Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 9.2 |
| Arroyo San Carlos, CA | 9.2 |
| Barnard Elementary San Diego, CA | 9.2 |
| City Terrace Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 9.2 |
| Del Mar Heights Elementary Del Mar, CA | 9.2 |
| El Morro Elementary Laguna Beach, CA | 9.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about California Elementary
What grades does California Elementary serve?
California Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend California Elementary?
California Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 366 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at California Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at California Elementary is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does California Elementary rank in CA?
California Elementary ranks #155 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is California Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
California Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at California Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, California Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is California Elementary a charter school?
No, California Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is California Elementary a Title I school?
No, California Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for California Elementary?
45.1% of students at California 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 366
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Orange County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.5%
- Phone
- (714) 424-7940
Resources & Links
District
Newport-Mesa Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,768
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,064
- District Rank
- #3 of 31
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.