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Excellent

#697 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 7% in state

La Mesa Arts Academy

Middle School · La Mesa-Spring Valley

4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942

Enrollment

1,057

Student-Teacher

22.5:1

Score

8.6

Grades

4th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#697 of 9,539

In La Mesa

#3 of 27

public schools

In district

#1 of 22

La Mesa-Spring Valley

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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La Mesa Arts Academy

8.6/10

Middle School in La Mesa · grades 4th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

La Mesa Dale Elementary

6.9/10

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

Helix High

7.9/10

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

About La Mesa Arts Academy

La Mesa Arts Academy is a public middle school in La Mesa, CA, part of La Mesa-Spring Valley. La Mesa Arts Academy serves approximately 1,057 students, and covers grades 4th-8th, and has a 22.5:1 student-teacher ratio. La Mesa Arts Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #697 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for La Mesa Arts Academy show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.7
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

La Mesa Arts Academy runs 22.5:1 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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+13.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.1 pts
Overall Proficiency62% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment6.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802
Chronic Absenteeism20.2%

La Mesa Arts Academy — Students at La Mesa Arts Academy score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.3% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 68.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 40 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
49%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
55%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
66%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
71%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
51.1%
ELA
71.3%
2024
Math
56.6%
ELA
70.3%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How La Mesa Arts Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
93th percentile in CA
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
6.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.2%

Location

4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Mesa Arts Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Helix High (rated 7.9/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center (rated 7.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Lemon Grove), a more accessible option. Additionally, La Mesa Dale Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
La Mesa Dale Elementary La Mesa 0.2 mi 6.9
Helix High La Mesa 0.4 mi 7.9
CHRIST LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY La Mesa 0.8 mi 4.7
Brookshire International Academy La Mesa 0.7 mi
St. John of the Cross School Lemon Grove 0.8 mi
Lemon Grove Academy Elementary Lemon Grove 0.9 mi 5.0
An-Nur Learning Academy La Mesa 1.0 mi
ST MARTIN OF TOURS ACADEMY La Mesa 1.0 mi 5.6
Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences and Humanities Lemon Grove 1.1 mi 5.0
Acton Academy San Diego East La Mesa 1.0 mi
The Learning Choice Academy - East County La Mesa 1.0 mi 6.8
Sparrow Academy La Mesa 1.0 mi 6.8
TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN La Mesa 1.2 mi
Vista La Mesa Academy La Mesa 1.1 mi 5.7
Rolando Elementary La Mesa 1.2 mi 3.8
EXCELSIOR ACADEMY La Mesa 1.5 mi
Maryland Avenue Elementary La Mesa 1.6 mi 6.2
Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center Lemon Grove 1.6 mi 7.2
BROOKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Lemon Grove 1.5 mi 4.3
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spring Valley 1.4 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
Burlingame Intermediate Burlingame, CA 8.6
Chaboya Middle San Jose, CA 8.6
Gaspar De Portola Charter Middle Tarzana, CA 8.6
Granite Ridge Intermediate Fresno, CA 8.6
Jefferson Middle San Gabriel, CA 8.6
John Adams Middle Los Angeles, CA 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Mesa Arts Academy

What grades does La Mesa Arts Academy serve?

La Mesa Arts Academy serves students in grades 4th through 8th.

How many students attend La Mesa Arts Academy?

La Mesa Arts Academy has an enrollment of approximately 1,057 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Mesa Arts Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at La Mesa Arts Academy is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Mesa Arts Academy rank in CA?

La Mesa Arts Academy ranks #697 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is La Mesa Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

La Mesa Arts Academy 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 La Mesa Arts Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, La Mesa Arts Academy has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is La Mesa Arts Academy a charter school?

No, La Mesa Arts Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is La Mesa Arts Academy a Title I school?

No, La Mesa Arts Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Mesa Arts Academy?

37.2% of students at La Mesa Arts Academy 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
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
1,057
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.2%

How we rate schools

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