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Average

#7232 of 9,533 schools in CA

La Mesa

Elementary School · Monterey Peninsula Unified

1 La Mesa Way, Monterey, CA 93940

Enrollment

654

Student-Teacher

22.6:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Monterey

#4 of 6

public schools

California elementary schools

#4,278 of 5,817

In district

#15 of 16

Monterey Peninsula Unified

Equity

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About La Mesa

La Mesa Elementary School serves 654 students in grades K-8 in Monterey, California, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating on MySchoolScout and ranking in the 76th percentile statewide. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1, providing a structured learning environment for its diverse student body. Academically, La Mesa demonstrates strong performance with 58% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 50% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

The school's 8.0 academic score reflects consistent educational outcomes that place it among the upper tier of California elementary schools. The school draws families from a well-established community where 53% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $103,946. This educated demographic contributes to a supportive learning environment, though the area's median home values of $960,400 reflect the premium coastal California market.

Located at 1 La Mesa Way, the school sits in Monterey's mid-size suburban setting, offering students access to both quality education and the cultural richness of the historic Monterey Peninsula, where academic achievement meets the natural beauty of California's central coast.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at La Mesa is 22.6:1, 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 Progress3.0Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.4%
Math vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.6 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,466

La Mesa — Students at La Mesa score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.4%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 59.1%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
50.3%
ELA
58%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.

How La Mesa Compares

See how La Mesa performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in CA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

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. STEVENSON SCHOOL CARMEL CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Carmel), which scores notably higher. Another option is SAN CARLOS SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Monte Vista (rated 6.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 4.4
Catherine Dior School Monterey 1.5 mi
Monterey High Monterey 1.7 mi 8.2
Classical Christian Academy Monterey Bay Monterey 2.0 mi
Monte Vista Monterey 2.1 mi 6.0
Big Sur Charter Monterey 2.4 mi 4.7
Sojourner Academy Monterey 2.4 mi
Carmel High Carmel 2.5 mi 7.7
MONTEREY BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seaside 2.5 mi 5.3
Del Rey Woods Elementary Seaside 2.4 mi 3.8
TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Monterey 2.7 mi 7.5
Carmel Middle Carmel 2.9 mi 7.0
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding La Mesa has a median household income of $110,669. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,039,700, with a median rent of $2,305/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Anna M. Glazier Elementary Norwalk, CA 5.2
Arroyo Seco Academy Greenfield, CA 5.2
Avocado Elementary La Mesa, CA 5.2
Beulah Payne P-8 STEAM Academy Inglewood, CA 5.2
Brittan Elementary Sutter, CA 5.2
Brooks Elementary Windsor, CA 5.2

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 is ranked #7232 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is La Mesa's MySchoolScout rating?

La Mesa has a composite rating of 5.2 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 La Mesa?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Mesa has 52.4% math proficiency and 59.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,185/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Monterey Peninsula Unified
District Enrollment
9,252
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,521
District Rank
#15 of 16

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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