Very Good
#3126 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 33% in state
La Mesa
Elementary School · Monterey Peninsula Unified
1 La Mesa Way, Monterey, CA 93940
Enrollment
654
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
654
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3,126 of 9,539
In Monterey
#3 of 6
public schools
In district
#5 of 16
Monterey Peninsula Unified
Equity
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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La Mesa
Elementary School in Monterey · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Santa Catalina School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
San Carlos School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About La Mesa
La Mesa is a public elementary school in Monterey, CA, part of Monterey Peninsula Unified. La Mesa serves approximately 654 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 22.6:1 student-teacher ratio. La Mesa has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #3,126 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for La Mesa show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 6.1
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
La Mesa runs 22.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
La Mesa — Students at La Mesa score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.
How La Mesa Compares
See how La Mesa performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1 La Mesa Way, Monterey, CA 93940
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering La Mesa may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Monte Vista (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is STEVENSON SCHOOL CARMEL CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Carmel), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Del Rey Woods Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Seaside), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Monterey, see our Monterey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL Monterey | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Santa Catalina School Monterey | 0.9 mi | — |
| SAN CARLOS SCHOOL Monterey | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| San Carlos Elementary Monterey | 1.3 mi | — |
| Bay View Academy Monterey | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Catherine Dior School Monterey | 1.5 mi | — |
| Monterey High Monterey | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Classical Christian Academy Monterey Bay Monterey | 2.0 mi | — |
| Monte Vista Monterey | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Big Sur Charter Monterey | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Sojourner Academy Monterey | 2.4 mi | — |
| Carmel High Carmel | 2.5 mi | 8.6 |
| MONTEREY BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seaside | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Del Rey Woods Elementary Seaside | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Monterey | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Carmel Middle Carmel | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Stevenson School Carmel Campus Carmel | 2.8 mi | — |
| STEVENSON SCHOOL CARMEL CAMPUS Carmel | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Peninsula Adventist School Seaside | 2.9 mi | — |
| PENINSULA ADVENTIST SCHOOL Seaside | 2.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93940 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$110,669
Median Home Value
$1,039,700
Median Rent
$2,305/mo
Population
30,951
College Educated
54.3%
Homeownership
43%
Avg Commute
19.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
42.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alamosa Park Elementary Vista, CA | 7.2 |
| Alisal Elementary Pleasanton, CA | 7.2 |
| Armada Elementary Moreno Valley, CA | 7.2 |
| Bayside Academy San Mateo, CA | 7.2 |
| Belvedere Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 |
| Blue Oak Elementary Cameron Park, CA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about La Mesa
What grades does La Mesa serve?
La Mesa serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend La Mesa?
La Mesa has an enrollment of approximately 654 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at La Mesa?
The student-teacher ratio at La Mesa is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does La Mesa rank in CA?
La Mesa ranks #3,126 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is La Mesa's MySchoolScout rating?
La Mesa has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 La Mesa?
Based on loaded state assessment records, La Mesa has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is La Mesa a charter school?
No, La Mesa is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is La Mesa a Title I school?
No, La Mesa is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Mesa?
40.2% of students at La Mesa qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 654
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Monterey County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.8%
- Phone
- (831) 649-1872
Resources & Links
District
Monterey Peninsula Unified- District Enrollment
- 9,252
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,521
- District Rank
- #5 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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