Very Good
#2095 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 22% 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
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
366
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Costa Mesa
#19 of 38
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,460 of 5,817
In district
#19 of 31
Newport-Mesa Unified
Equity
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About California Elementary
California Elementary serves 366 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Costa Mesa, bringing together families from Orange County's vibrant coastal community. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1, allowing for meaningful classroom connections. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 92nd percentile statewide at #763 out of 9,566 California elementary schools.
Students show solid proficiency rates with 66% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and 56% in mathematics across all grade levels. Located on Bear Street, California Elementary draws from a well-educated community where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 92626 ZIP code reflects the area's economic stability, with a median household income of $105,281 and median home values around $962,000, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 8.9%.
The school's strong academic standing reflects both the dedicated teaching staff and the engaged parent community typical of Costa Mesa's family-oriented neighborhoods. California Elementary sits in the heart of this mid-size city, where coastal California living meets educational excellence, providing students with a solid foundation for their academic journey.
Score Breakdown
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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 13 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: 6.3/10.
How California Elementary Compares
See how California Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 54.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 65.75% (2024).
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. Gisler (Robert) Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Fountain Valley), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Adams Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, THE PEGASUS SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Huntington Beach), 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charles W. Tewinkle Middle Costa Mesa | 0.1 mi | 8.0 |
| 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 | 8.3 |
| RENASCENCE SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL Costa Mesa | 0.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Killybrooke Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Adams Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| 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 | 8.0 |
| Cox (James H.) Elementary Fountain Valley | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Paularino Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| THE PEGASUS SCHOOL Huntington Beach | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Costa Mesa High Costa Mesa | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| MY FIRST MONTESSORI Huntington Beach | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Jim Thorpe Fundamental Santa Ana | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| 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 | 7.3 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding California 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 |
|---|---|
| A. M. Winn Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento, CA | 7.6 |
| Ada S. Nelson Elementary Whittier, CA | 7.6 |
| Allan Orrenmaa Elementary Riverside, CA | 7.6 |
| Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.6 |
| Barnard Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.6 |
| Bayshore Daly City, CA | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #2095 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is California Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
California Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 California Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, California Elementary has 56.4% math proficiency and 66.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 53 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 30 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 56 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,601/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Costa Mesa). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (714) 424-7940
- 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
- #19 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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