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Average

#7178 of 9,539 schools in CA

Mar Vista Academy

Middle School · Sweetwater Union High

1267 Thermal Ave., San Diego, CA 92154

Enrollment

508

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

5.1

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,178 of 9,539

In San Diego

#232 of 288

public schools

In district

#18 of 28

Sweetwater Union High

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Mar Vista Academy

5.1/10

Middle School in San Diego · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Emory Elementary

5.4/10

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

St. Charles Elementary

Nearby

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

About Mar Vista Academy

Mar Vista Academy is a public middle school in San Diego, CA, part of Sweetwater Union High. Mar Vista Academy serves approximately 508 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Mar Vista Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #7,178 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Mar Vista Academy show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

37% of students at Mar Vista Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,647
Chronic Absenteeism37%

Mar Vista Academy — Students at Mar Vista Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 36.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
44%
ELA
39%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
39%
ELA
48%
2012
Math
33%
ELA
39%
2013
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
14%
ELA
31%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
14.6%
ELA
24.4%
2024
Math
15.7%
ELA
31.9%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Mar Vista Academy Compares

See how Mar Vista Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in CA
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.0%

Location

1267 Thermal Ave., San Diego, CA 92154

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mar Vista Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Southwest Senior High (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mar Vista Senior High (rated 6.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Imperial Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Southwest Middle (rated 6.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Emory Elementary San Diego 0.3 mi 5.4
St. Charles Elementary San Diego 0.5 mi
ST CHARLES CATHOLIC SCHOOL San Diego 0.5 mi 5.1
Godfrey G. Berry Elementary San Diego 0.5 mi 3.2
Teofilo Mendoza San Diego 0.5 mi 2.7
Central Elementary Imperial Beach 0.6 mi 3.1
Refugio de Amor Academy San Diego 0.9 mi
Nestor Language Academy Charter San Diego 0.8 mi 5.3
Oneonta Elementary Imperial Beach 0.9 mi 4.0
Southwest Senior High San Diego 0.9 mi 6.9
ST JAMES LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Imperial Beach 1.1 mi
Sunnyslope Elementary San Diego 1.1 mi 4.1
OCEAN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego 1.3 mi 6.0
Bayside STEAM Academy Imperial Beach 1.4 mi 4.2
SBUSD Virtual Academy Imperial Beach 1.4 mi 4.2
Launch Virtual Academy San Diego 1.3 mi 3.3
Accelerated Academics San Diego 1.4 mi
Southwest Middle San Diego 1.4 mi 6.1
Imperial Beach Charter Imperial Beach 1.4 mi 3.6
Mar Vista Senior High Imperial Beach 1.5 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92154 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,035

Median Home Value

$606,400

Median Rent

$2,143/mo

Population

82,832

College Educated

20.7%

Homeownership

60%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

35.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Animo Jefferson Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA 5.1
Big Bear Middle Big Bear Lake, CA 5.1
Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate Half Moon Bay, CA 5.1
Martin Luther King Jr. Technology Academy Sacramento, CA 5.1
Strawberry Elementary Santa Rosa, CA 5.1
Twentynine Palms Junior High Twentynine Palms, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mar Vista Academy

What grades does Mar Vista Academy serve?

Mar Vista Academy serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Mar Vista Academy?

Mar Vista Academy has an enrollment of approximately 508 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mar Vista Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Mar Vista Academy is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mar Vista Academy rank in CA?

Mar Vista Academy ranks #7,178 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Mar Vista Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Mar Vista Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Mar Vista Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mar Vista Academy has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Mar Vista Academy a charter school?

No, Mar Vista Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mar Vista Academy a Title I school?

No, Mar Vista Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mar Vista Academy?

74.2% of students at Mar Vista 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
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
508
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.0%

District

Sweetwater Union High
District Enrollment
35,226
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,647
District Rank
#18 of 28

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