Skip to main content

Excellent

#34 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 1% in state

Early College High

High School · Newport-Mesa Unified

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

Enrollment

200

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

9.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#34 of 9,539

In Costa Mesa

#1 of 39

public schools

In district

#1 of 31

Newport-Mesa Unified

Equity

10.0 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Early College High?

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.

Early College High

9.5/10

High School in Costa Mesa · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Renascence School International

8.6/10

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

Montessori Harbor Mesa Elementary

Nearby

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

About Early College High

Early College High is a public high school in Costa Mesa, CA, part of Newport-Mesa Unified. Early College High serves approximately 200 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Early College High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.5 out of 10 and ranks #34 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Early College High show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 87% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.1 pts above district
  • This school 9.5 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.4
  • CA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-0.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency92.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+37.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+36.4 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+40.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness9.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,064
Chronic Absenteeism6.5%

Early College High — Students at Early College High score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 66.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 87.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 24 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
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
64.5%
ELA
95%
2018
Math
64.5%
ELA
95%
2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
95%
2020*
Math
54.5%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
84.5%
2024
Math
65.4%
ELA
92.3%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Early College High Compares

See how Early College High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.5/10
100th percentile in CA
Academic
9.8/10
Excellent
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
6.5%

Programs & Offerings

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 Early College High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Estancia High (rated 8.0/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Costa Mesa High (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 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
RENASCENCE SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL Costa Mesa 0.1 mi 8.6
Montessori Harbor Mesa Elementary Costa Mesa 0.4 mi
Adams Elementary Costa Mesa 0.5 mi 8.9
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle Costa Mesa 0.6 mi 6.7
California Elementary Costa Mesa 0.6 mi 9.2
Brood of Bees Costa Mesa 0.7 mi
Killybrooke Elementary Costa Mesa 0.9 mi 8.5
CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL-COSTA MESA Costa Mesa 1.1 mi 5.4
THE PEGASUS SCHOOL Huntington Beach 1.1 mi 7.3
Estancia High Costa Mesa 1.5 mi 8.0
Gisler (Robert) Elementary Fountain Valley 1.4 mi 7.8
Costa Mesa High Costa Mesa 1.4 mi 7.8
Waldorf School of Orange County Costa Mesa 1.6 mi
THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF ORANGE COUNTY Costa Mesa 1.6 mi 6.8
MY FIRST MONTESSORI Huntington Beach 1.4 mi 5.6
Wilson Elementary Costa Mesa 1.7 mi 6.5
Calvary Chapel Private School Program Santa Ana 1.7 mi
College Park Elementary Costa Mesa 1.7 mi 8.0
Paularino Elementary Costa Mesa 1.5 mi 7.6
My First Montessori Huntington Beach 1.5 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
Mission Early College High Santa Clara, CA 9.5
University Preparatory High Visalia, CA 9.4
Middle College High San Bernardino, CA 9.2
Independence High San Francisco, CA 9.1
Visalia Technical Early College Visalia, CA 9.1
Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High Los Angeles, CA 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Early College High

What grades does Early College High serve?

Early College High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Early College High?

Early College High has an enrollment of approximately 200 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Early College High?

The student-teacher ratio at Early College High is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Early College High rank in CA?

Early College High ranks #34 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Early College High's MySchoolScout rating?

Early College High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.5 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 Early College High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Early College High has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 87% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Early College High a charter school?

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

Is Early College High a Title I school?

No, Early College High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Early College High?

64.0% of students at Early College 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
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
6.5%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

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

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 rate

Related reading

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.