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Excellent

#650 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 7% in state

Jcs - Manzanita

School · JCS - Manzanita District

5300 Jackson Dr., La Mesa, CA 91942

Charter

Enrollment

200

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#650 of 9,539

In La Mesa

#2 of 27

public schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Jcs - Manzanita

8.6/10

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

Warren-walker School-la Mesa

5.5/10

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

Lemon Avenue Elementary

6.0/10

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

About Jcs - Manzanita

Jcs - Manzanita is a public school in La Mesa, CA, part of JCS - Manzanita District. Jcs - Manzanita serves approximately 200 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Jcs - Manzanita has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #650 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Jcs - Manzanita show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

How it compares2.3 pts above CA schools
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • CA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Jcs - Manzanita is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change+0.81 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-7.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate50%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,180
Chronic Absenteeism22.5%

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 36.5% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
36.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 47.5% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
45.8% (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.

2018
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
43.1%
ELA
53.8%
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: 9.8/10.

How Jcs - Manzanita Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
93th percentile in CA
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
9.6/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.5%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses3 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

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 6.8/10, 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 6.0
Acton Academy San Diego East La Mesa 0.8 mi
Murray Manor Elementary La Mesa 0.9 mi 4.7
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 6.5
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 6.8
The Learning Choice Academy - East County La Mesa 1.4 mi 6.8
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 4.4

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
RENASCENCE SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL Costa Mesa, CA 8.6
Buena Vista Virtual Academy Yorba Linda, CA 8.7
CHARTWELL SCHOOL Seaside, CA 8.7
Kings Canyon Online Dunlap, CA 8.3
Redwood Coast Montessori Eureka, CA 8.9
Davis School for Independent Study Davis, CA 8.2

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 ranks #650 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Jcs - Manzanita's MySchoolScout rating?

Jcs - Manzanita has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Jcs - Manzanita?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jcs - Manzanita has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.5%
4-Year Graduation
50%+

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

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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