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Very Good

#1981 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 21% in state

Costa Mesa High

High School · Newport-Mesa Unified

2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Enrollment

1,761

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

7.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,981 of 9,539

In Costa Mesa

#20 of 39

public schools

In district

#20 of 31

Newport-Mesa Unified

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Costa Mesa High

7.8/10

High School in Costa Mesa · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Maude B. Davis Elementary

8.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Monte Vista Independent Study

5.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Costa Mesa High

Costa Mesa High is a public high school in Costa Mesa, CA, part of Newport-Mesa Unified. Costa Mesa High serves approximately 1,761 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Costa Mesa High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,981 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Costa Mesa High show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.4
  • CA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate97%
AP Participation18.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,064
Chronic Absenteeism24.2%

Costa Mesa High — Students at Costa Mesa High score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
32.3% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 49.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.1% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
42%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
45%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
53%
ELA
53%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
51%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
33%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
33%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
44.5%
2024
Math
28.8%
ELA
47.2%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Costa Mesa High Compares

See how Costa Mesa High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
79th percentile in CA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.6
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
94 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
18.2% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·35 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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 Costa Mesa High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Early College High (rated 9.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Monte Vista Independent Study (rated 5.9/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Back Bay High (rated 4.9/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Costa Mesa, see our Costa Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Maude B. Davis Elementary Costa Mesa 0.3 mi 8.9
Monte Vista Independent Study Costa Mesa 0.4 mi 5.9
CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL-COSTA MESA Costa Mesa 0.6 mi 5.4
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Costa Mesa 0.7 mi 7.1
College Park Elementary Costa Mesa 0.7 mi 8.0
Sonora Elementary Costa Mesa 0.7 mi 8.4
Paularino Elementary Costa Mesa 0.9 mi 7.6
Killybrooke Elementary Costa Mesa 1.1 mi 8.5
Montessori Harbor Mesa Elementary Costa Mesa 1.1 mi
California Pacific Charter - San Diego Costa Mesa 1.5 mi 5.4
California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles Costa Mesa 1.5 mi 6.7
Early College High Costa Mesa 1.4 mi 9.5
Back Bay High Costa Mesa 1.5 mi 4.9
RENASCENCE SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL Costa Mesa 1.4 mi 8.6
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle Costa Mesa 1.6 mi 6.7
Heinz Kaiser Elementary Costa Mesa 1.8 mi 9.1
Orange County Special Education Costa Mesa 1.5 mi 3.2
ACCESS County Community Costa Mesa 1.5 mi 4.5
California Elementary Costa Mesa 1.7 mi 9.2
Adams Elementary Costa Mesa 1.5 mi 8.9

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
Adrian Wilcox High Santa Clara, CA 7.8
Citrus Hill High Perris, CA 7.8
Claremont High Claremont, CA 7.8
Fairfax Senior High Los Angeles, CA 7.8
Fontana A. B. Miller High Fontana, CA 7.8
Lemoore High Lemoore, CA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Costa Mesa High

What grades does Costa Mesa High serve?

Costa Mesa High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Costa Mesa High?

Costa Mesa High has an enrollment of approximately 1,761 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Costa Mesa High?

The student-teacher ratio at Costa Mesa High is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Costa Mesa High rank in CA?

Costa Mesa High ranks #1,981 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Costa Mesa High's MySchoolScout rating?

Costa Mesa High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Costa Mesa High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Costa Mesa High has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Costa Mesa High a charter school?

No, Costa Mesa High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Costa Mesa High a Title I school?

No, Costa Mesa High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Costa Mesa High?

75.2% of students at Costa Mesa 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

Walk Score
62 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
1,761
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
94
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.2%
4-Year Graduation
97.0%

District

Newport-Mesa Unified
District Enrollment
17,768
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,064
District Rank
#20 of 31

How we rate schools

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