Very Good
#1698 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 18% 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
7.8
Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
1,057
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
4th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Mesa
#2 of 27
public schools
California middle schools
#192 of 1,349
In district
#1 of 22
La Mesa-Spring Valley
Equity
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About La Mesa Arts Academy
La Mesa Arts Academy serves 1,057 students in grades 4 through 8 at 4750 Date Ave in La Mesa, California. This public middle school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1 with 47 full-time equivalent teachers, earning a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, ranking in the 86th percentile statewide at #1365 out of 9,566 California schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 70% achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels, while 57% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. The school's academic score of 8.6 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement. La Mesa Arts Academy draws from a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $80,996 and 38% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.8%, with median home values of $645,500 reflecting the area's desirability. Located in San Diego County's large suburban landscape, La Mesa Arts Academy provides middle school students with a well-rounded educational experience in a community that values both academic achievement and the arts, situated in an established residential area known for its family-friendly atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at La Mesa Arts Academy is 22.5:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
La Mesa Arts Academy — Students at La Mesa Arts Academy score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 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: 8.3/10.
How La Mesa Arts Academy Compares
See how La Mesa Arts Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 54.67% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 69.06% (2024).
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. Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center (rated 7.6/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Lemon Grove), with a very similar rating. Another option is Maryland Avenue Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Rolando Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.2 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 | 6.2 |
| Helix High La Mesa | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 5.7 |
| 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 | 4.6 |
| Acton Academy San Diego East La Mesa | 1.0 mi | — |
| The Learning Choice Academy - East County La Mesa | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Sparrow Academy La Mesa | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN La Mesa | 1.2 mi | — |
| Vista La Mesa Academy La Mesa | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Rolando Elementary La Mesa | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| EXCELSIOR ACADEMY La Mesa | 1.5 mi | — |
| Maryland Avenue Elementary La Mesa | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center Lemon Grove | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding La Mesa Arts Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| Arthur E. Wright Middle Calabasas, CA | 7.8 |
| Bell Gardens Intermediate Bell Gardens, CA | 7.8 |
| Buchser Middle Santa Clara, CA | 7.8 |
| Griffith Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.8 |
| Hollenbeck Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.8 |
| Itliong-Vera Cruz Union City, CA | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #1698 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is La Mesa Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
La Mesa Arts Academy 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 La Mesa Arts Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Mesa Arts Academy has 52.5% math proficiency and 71.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 58 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 38 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 42 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,806/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Mesa). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (619) 668-5730
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
La Mesa-Spring Valley- District Enrollment
- 10,684
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,802
- District Rank
- #1 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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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