Very Good
#3036 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 32% in state
Making Waves Academy
High School · Making Waves Academy District
4123 Lakeside Dr., Richmond, CA 94806
Enrollment
1,103
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
1,103
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
5th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3,036 of 9,539
In Richmond
#3 of 31
public schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Making Waves Academy?
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Making Waves Academy
High School in Richmond · grades 5th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
A Better Chance School/cal Autism Foundation
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
A Better Chance / California Autism Foundation
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Making Waves Academy
Making Waves Academy is a public high school in Richmond, CA, part of Making Waves Academy District. Making Waves Academy serves approximately 1,103 students, and covers grades 5th-12th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Making Waves Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #3,036 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Making Waves Academy show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Making Waves Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Making Waves Academy — Students at Making Waves Academy score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 22 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: 7.6/10.
How Making Waves Academy Compares
See how Making Waves Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby San Pablo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Aspire Richmond Ca. College Preparatory Academy (rated 5.5/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Oakland), a more accessible option. Additionally, Summit Public School: Tamalpais (rated 4.1/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Richmond, see our Richmond schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 miNeighborhood 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Blair High Pasadena, CA | 7.2 |
| Del Mar High San Jose, CA | 7.2 |
| Exeter Union High Exeter, CA | 7.2 |
| Foothill Technology High Ventura, CA | 7.2 |
| Granite Hills High Porterville, CA | 7.2 |
| Half Moon Bay High Half Moon Bay, CA | 7.2 |
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 ranks #3,036 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Making Waves Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Making Waves Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Making Waves Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Making Waves Academy has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.0%
- Phone
- (510) 262-1511
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
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
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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