Very Good
#1541 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 16% in state
Horace Ensign Intermediate
Middle School · Newport-Mesa Unified
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Enrollment
924
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
7.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
924
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
7.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Costa Mesa
#14 of 38
public schools
California middle schools
#181 of 1,349
In district
#14 of 31
Newport-Mesa Unified
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Horace Ensign Intermediate
Horace Ensign Intermediate serves 924 students in grades 7-8 in Costa Mesa, providing a solid middle school experience with strong academic performance. The school ranks in the 86th percentile statewide, placing #1,386 out of 9,566 California schools, with an impressive 7.9 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, students demonstrate strong proficiency rates, with 66% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and 54% achieving proficiency in mathematics.
With 42 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, the school maintains a 22:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for meaningful classroom interactions while managing the demands of a larger enrollment. The school draws from an educated and economically stable community where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $105,281. This well-resourced neighborhood environment, with its low 8.9% poverty rate, provides a supportive backdrop for student achievement.
Located on Bear Street in Costa Mesa, Horace Ensign Intermediate sits in Orange County's dynamic small city setting, where families benefit from both suburban amenities and proximity to broader Southern California opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Horace Ensign Intermediate is 22:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Horace Ensign Intermediate — Students at Horace Ensign Intermediate score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 9 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: 7.1/10.
How Horace Ensign Intermediate Compares
See how Horace Ensign Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 53.98% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 68% (2019) to 66.18% (2024).
Location
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Horace Ensign Intermediate may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Heinz Kaiser Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Everett A. Rea Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Victoria Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Costa Mesa, see our Costa Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Newport Harbor High Costa Mesa | 0.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Newport Heights Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Newport Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| International School for Science and Culture Costa Mesa | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Mariners Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Pacifica Christian High School-Orange County Newport Beach | 1.3 mi | — |
| Carden Hall, Inc Newport Beach | 1.4 mi | — |
| CARDEN HALL Newport Beach | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| WOODLAND CHILD DEVT CENTER Costa Mesa | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Woodland Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Villages Preparatory Costa Mesa | 1.9 mi | — |
| Heinz Kaiser Elementary Costa Mesa | 2.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Whittier Elementary Costa Mesa | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Pomona Elementary Costa Mesa | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Everett A. Rea Elementary Costa Mesa | 2.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Page Private-Costa Mesa Costa Mesa | 2.3 mi | — |
| PAGE ACADEMY Costa Mesa | 2.3 mi | 7.8 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Costa Mesa | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Wilson Elementary Costa Mesa | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Victoria Elementary Costa Mesa | 2.7 mi | 9.0 |
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 Horace Ensign Intermediate 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 |
|---|---|
| Bowditch Middle Foster City, CA | 7.9 |
| Burton Middle Porterville, CA | 7.9 |
| Dr. Manuel M. Lopez Academy of Arts & Sciences Oxnard, CA | 7.9 |
| Edward Harris Jr. Middle Elk Grove, CA | 7.9 |
| La Colina Junior High Santa Barbara, CA | 7.9 |
| Ladera Ranch Middle Ladera Ranch, CA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Horace Ensign Intermediate
What grades does Horace Ensign Intermediate serve?
Horace Ensign Intermediate serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Horace Ensign Intermediate?
Horace Ensign Intermediate has an enrollment of approximately 924 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Horace Ensign Intermediate?
The student-teacher ratio at Horace Ensign Intermediate is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Horace Ensign Intermediate rank in CA?
Horace Ensign Intermediate is ranked #1541 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Horace Ensign Intermediate's MySchoolScout rating?
Horace Ensign Intermediate has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Horace Ensign Intermediate?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horace Ensign Intermediate has 53.8% math proficiency and 66.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Horace Ensign Intermediate a charter school?
No, Horace Ensign Intermediate is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Horace Ensign Intermediate a Title I school?
No, Horace Ensign Intermediate is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Horace Ensign Intermediate?
49.6% of students at Horace Ensign Intermediate 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 924
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 515-6910
- 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
- #14 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
- 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.