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Average

#3879 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 41% in state

Making Waves Academy

High School · Making Waves Academy District

4123 Lakeside Dr., Richmond, CA 94806

Charter

Enrollment

1,103

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

6.7

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Richmond

#3 of 31

public schools

California high schools

#747 of 1,892

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Making Waves Academy

Making Waves Academy serves 1,103 students in grades 5 through 12 as a charter school in Richmond, California. With 66 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for individualized attention. Academically, Making Waves Academy ranks in the 66th percentile statewide, placing #3,289 out of 9,566 California schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10.

The school shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 48% of students score proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 25% of students achieving proficiency. These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic improvement.

The school draws from a diverse community in the 94806 ZIP code, where the median household income is $82,274 and median home values reach $562,500. About 23% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 11.2%. This middle-income neighborhood of 63,730 residents provides a stable foundation for the school community.

Making Waves Academy operates within Richmond's large suburban setting in Contra Costa County, serving families seeking an alternative public education option in the East Bay area.

What Parents Should Know

Making Waves Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.3%
Math vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.9 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,268

Making Waves Academy — Students at Making Waves Academy score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 24.0%
School
State
33.1%
ELA Proficiency 47.3%
School
State
48.3%

Based on 16 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
26%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
39%
2024
Math
25%
ELA
48.2%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Making Waves Academy Compares

See how Making Waves Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in CA
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
66 teachers

Location

4123 Lakeside Dr., Richmond, CA 94806

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Making Waves Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Middle College High (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby San Pablo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Summit Public School: Tamalpais (rated 5.5/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Aspire Richmond Ca. College Preparatory Academy (rated 3.8/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Oakland), a more accessible option. For more schools in Richmond, see our Richmond schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
A BETTER CHANCE SCHOOL/CAL AUTISM FOUNDATION Richmond 0.1 mi 7.6
A Better Chance / California Autism Foundation Richmond 0.1 mi
Montalvin Manor Elementary San Pablo 0.5 mi 5.5
Aspire Richmond Technology Academy Oakland 0.7 mi 3.4
Summit Public School: Tamalpais Richmond 0.8 mi 5.5
Aspire Richmond Ca. College Preparatory Academy Oakland 0.8 mi 3.8
Caliber: Beta Academy Richmond 0.8 mi 6.1
Spectrum Center Tara Hills Campus San Pablo 0.8 mi
SPECTRUM CENTER - TARA HILLS San Pablo 0.9 mi 6.6
Highland Elementary Richmond 1.2 mi 4.3
Middle College High San Pablo 1.3 mi 7.6
Bayview Elementary San Pablo 1.2 mi 6.8
Tara Hills Elementary San Pablo 1.1 mi 4.6
PATTYS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Richmond 1.2 mi
Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy San Pablo 1.4 mi 5.4
Shannon Elementary Pinole 1.4 mi 8.3
Betty Reid Soskin Middle El Sobrante 1.4 mi 4.2
Helms Middle San Pablo 1.8 mi 4.7
Lake Elementary San Pablo 1.7 mi 4.4
SENECA FAMILY OF AGENCIE- CATALYST ACADEMY El Sobrante 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,818

Median Home Value

$582,000

Median Rent

$2,013/mo

Population

61,749

College Educated

22.7%

Homeownership

50.6%

Avg Commute

34.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

36.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Making Waves Academy has a median household income of $82,818. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $582,000, with a median rent of $2,013/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 34 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
BASIS INDEPENDENT SILICON VALLEY San Jose, CA 6.7
Capuchino High San Bruno, CA 6.7
Centennial High Compton, CA 6.7
Cesar E. Chavez High Delano, CA 6.7
Dr. Maya Angelou Community High Los Angeles, CA 6.7
Edgewood High West Covina, CA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Making Waves Academy

What grades does Making Waves Academy serve?

Making Waves Academy serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Making Waves Academy?

Making Waves Academy has an enrollment of approximately 1,103 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Making Waves Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Making Waves Academy is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Making Waves Academy rank in CA?

Making Waves Academy is ranked #3879 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Making Waves Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Making Waves Academy has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Making Waves Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Making Waves Academy has 24.0% math proficiency and 47.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Making Waves Academy a charter school?

Yes, Making Waves Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Making Waves Academy a Title I school?

No, Making Waves Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Making Waves Academy?

78.2% of students at Making Waves 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
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,715/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
1,103
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
66
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Contra Costa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Making Waves Academy District
District Enrollment
1,103
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,069
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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