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
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Jcs - Manzanita — Students at Jcs - Manzanita score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 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: 8.7/10.
How Jcs - Manzanita Compares
See how Jcs - Manzanita performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 37.82% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 48.31% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (619) 303-4344
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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