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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.2%
Math vs. State Avg+20.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.9 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,641

Horace Ensign Intermediate — Students at Horace Ensign Intermediate score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 53.8%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 66.6%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 9 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
58%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
49%
2024
Math
53.9%
ELA
66.2%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Horace Ensign Intermediate Compares

See how Horace Ensign Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in CA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
67 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,601/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Costa Mesa). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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