Skip to main content

Very Good

#1631 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 17% in state

Jcs - Manzanita

School · JCS - Manzanita District

5300 Jackson Dr., La Mesa, CA 91942

Charter

Enrollment

200

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In La Mesa

#1 of 27

public schools

California schools

#18 of 475

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Jcs - Manzanita

JCS - Manzanita is a public charter school serving 200 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in La Mesa, California. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks in the 76th percentile statewide at #2305 out of 9566 California schools.

Students show stronger performance in English Language Arts, with 47% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics results show 37% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. As a charter school, JCS - Manzanita offers families an alternative educational approach within the public school system. The K-12 structure provides continuity as students progress through their educational journey without needing to transition between different schools.

The school is situated in La Mesa's large suburban setting on Jackson Drive, serving a community where the median household income is $80,996 and 38% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. This established neighborhood environment, with its median home values of $645,500, provides a stable backdrop for the school's educational mission.

What Parents Should Know

Jcs - Manzanita is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.3%
Math vs. State Avg-7.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,042

Jcs - Manzanita — Students at Jcs - Manzanita score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.2%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 46.9%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 18 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
32%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
36.6%
ELA
46.9%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Jcs - Manzanita Compares

See how Jcs - Manzanita performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
83th percentile in CA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

5300 Jackson Dr., La Mesa, CA 91942

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jcs - Manzanita may also want to explore other schools in the area. The Learning Choice Academy - East County (rated 5.7/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, SIERRA SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO (rated 5.7/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby San Diego), a more accessible option. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
WARREN-WALKER SCHOOL-LA MESA La Mesa 0.5 mi 5.5
Lemon Avenue Elementary La Mesa 0.7 mi 6.5
Acton Academy San Diego East La Mesa 0.8 mi
Murray Manor Elementary La Mesa 0.9 mi 7.8
Brookshire International Academy La Mesa 1.0 mi
CHRIST LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY La Mesa 1.0 mi 4.7
TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN La Mesa 1.0 mi
Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy La Mesa 1.2 mi 5.8
ST MARTIN OF TOURS ACADEMY La Mesa 1.1 mi 5.6
Mt. Helix Academy La Mesa 1.2 mi
MT HELIX ACADEMY - TIEE La Mesa 1.2 mi 7.7
MT. HELIX ACADEMY La Mesa 1.2 mi 7.4
Sparrow Academy La Mesa 1.4 mi 6.2
The Learning Choice Academy - East County La Mesa 1.4 mi 5.7
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran La Mesa 1.5 mi
SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Mesa 1.5 mi 4.7
An-Nur Learning Academy La Mesa 1.3 mi
SIERRA SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO San Diego 1.6 mi 5.7
Sierra School Of San Diego San Diego 1.6 mi
Northmont Elementary La Mesa 1.6 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91942 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,262

Median Home Value

$689,300

Median Rent

$1,934/mo

Population

40,920

College Educated

38.2%

Homeownership

44%

Avg Commute

24.7 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jcs - Manzanita has a median household income of $81,262. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $689,300, with a median rent of $1,934/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
ROLLING HILLS PREPARATORY San Pedro, CA 7.8
SOUTH BAY FAITH ACADEMY Redondo Beach, CA 7.8
CITY OF KNOWLEDGE SCHOOL Pomona, CA 7.7
OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL Ojai, CA 7.7
ESCONDIDO ADVENTIST ACADEMY Escondido, CA 7.9
HIGHLAND HALL WALDORF SCHOOL Northridge, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jcs - Manzanita

What grades does Jcs - Manzanita serve?

Jcs - Manzanita serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Jcs - Manzanita?

Jcs - Manzanita has an enrollment of approximately 200 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jcs - Manzanita?

The student-teacher ratio at Jcs - Manzanita is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jcs - Manzanita rank in CA?

Jcs - Manzanita is ranked #1631 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Jcs - Manzanita's MySchoolScout rating?

Jcs - Manzanita has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Jcs - Manzanita?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jcs - Manzanita has 36.2% math proficiency and 46.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jcs - Manzanita a charter school?

Yes, Jcs - Manzanita is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Jcs - Manzanita a Title I school?

No, Jcs - Manzanita is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jcs - Manzanita?

55.5% of students at Jcs - Manzanita 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
84 Very Walkable
Transit Score
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,806/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

JCS - Manzanita District
District Enrollment
200
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,180
District Rank
#1 of 1

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

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.