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Average

#5105 of 9,533 schools in CA

La Mesa Dale Elementary

Elementary School · La Mesa-Spring Valley

4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942

Enrollment

520

Student-Teacher

27.4:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In La Mesa

#10 of 27

public schools

California elementary schools

#3,114 of 5,817

In district

#8 of 22

La Mesa-Spring Valley

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About La Mesa Dale Elementary

La Mesa Dale Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of La Mesa, California. With an enrollment of 520 students and a student-teacher ratio of 27.4:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment for kindergarten through sixth grade. The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to helping their students succeed.

Academically, La Mesa Dale Elementary is ranked at the 60th percentile among California schools, with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 6.7 out of 10. In reading and language arts, about half of the students are proficient or above, while in math, approximately 38% meet proficiency standards. These scores indicate that there is room for growth and development in various areas.

The school is situated in a large suburban area within San Diego County, offering a vibrant community setting with easy access to local amenities and resources. La Mesa Dale Elementary serves as an important pillar of the neighborhood, providing education and support to families nearby.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at La Mesa Dale Elementary is 27.4:1, 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 Progress6.7Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.4%
Math vs. State Avg-8.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.6 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,111

La Mesa Dale Elementary — Students at La Mesa Dale Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.0%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 49.9%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
37.3%
ELA
49.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.

How La Mesa Dale Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Mesa Dale Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Maryland Avenue Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rolando Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sparrow Academy (rated 6.2/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
La Mesa Arts Academy La Mesa 0.2 mi 7.8
Helix High La Mesa 0.3 mi 6.2
CHRIST LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY La Mesa 0.7 mi 4.7
An-Nur Learning Academy La Mesa 0.8 mi
Brookshire International Academy La Mesa 0.7 mi
ST MARTIN OF TOURS ACADEMY La Mesa 0.8 mi 5.6
TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN La Mesa 1.0 mi
St. John of the Cross School Lemon Grove 1.0 mi
Lemon Grove Academy Elementary Lemon Grove 1.1 mi 5.7
Rolando Elementary La Mesa 1.0 mi 6.5
Vista La Mesa Academy La Mesa 1.0 mi 6.0
Acton Academy San Diego East La Mesa 1.0 mi
Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences and Humanities Lemon Grove 1.3 mi 4.6
EXCELSIOR ACADEMY La Mesa 1.2 mi
The Learning Choice Academy - East County La Mesa 1.1 mi 5.7
Sparrow Academy La Mesa 1.2 mi 6.2
Maryland Avenue Elementary La Mesa 1.4 mi 7.5
Harriet Tubman Village Charter San Diego 1.3 mi 5.0
BROOKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Lemon Grove 1.5 mi 4.3
Rolando Park Elementary San Diego 1.5 mi 6.1

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 Dale Elementary 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
Alberta Martone Elementary Modesto, CA 6.2
Alta Vista Elementary Redondo Beach, CA 6.2
Alta Vista Elementary Porterville, CA 6.2
Arroyo Elementary Ontario, CA 6.2
Ben Lomond Elementary Covina, CA 6.2
Blanchard Elementary Santa Paula, CA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Mesa Dale Elementary

What grades does La Mesa Dale Elementary serve?

La Mesa Dale Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend La Mesa Dale Elementary?

La Mesa Dale Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 520 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Mesa Dale Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at La Mesa Dale Elementary is 27.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Mesa Dale Elementary rank in CA?

La Mesa Dale Elementary is ranked #5105 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is La Mesa Dale Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

La Mesa Dale Elementary has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Dale Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Mesa Dale Elementary has 38.0% math proficiency and 49.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is La Mesa Dale Elementary a charter school?

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

Is La Mesa Dale Elementary a Title I school?

No, La Mesa Dale Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Mesa Dale Elementary?

66.7% of students at La Mesa Dale Elementary 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 (1,806/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

La Mesa-Spring Valley
District Enrollment
10,684
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,802
District Rank
#8 of 22

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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