Needs Improvement
#8924 of 9,539 schools in CA
Merit Academy
High School · Grossmont Union High
PO Box 1043, La Mesa, CA 91944
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
64:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
64:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,924 of 9,539
In La Mesa
#25 of 27
public schools
In district
#14 of 14
Grossmont Union High
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Merit Academy
High School in La Mesa · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Chaparral High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Idea Center
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Merit Academy
Merit Academy is a public high school in La Mesa, CA, part of Grossmont Union High. Merit Academy serves approximately 64 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 64:1 student-teacher ratio. Merit Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #8,924 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Merit Academy show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2021).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.5
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 64 students, Merit Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Merit Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Merit Academy runs 64:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Merit Academy — Students at Merit Academy score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
Average 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: 6.6/10.
How Merit Academy Compares
See how Merit 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
PO Box 1043, La Mesa, CA 91944
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merit Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Grossmont Middle College High (rated 9.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby El Cajon), which scores notably higher. Another option is FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby El Cajon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chaparral High (rated 6.6/10, in nearby El Cajon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chaparral High El Cajon | 0.0 mi | 6.6 |
| IDEA Center El Cajon | 0.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Flying Hills School of Arts El Cajon | 0.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Johnson Elementary El Cajon | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Altus Schools East County San Diego | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| PRIDE Academy at Prospect Avenue Santee | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Fletcher Hills Elementary La Mesa | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL El Cajon | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Grossmont Middle College High El Cajon | 1.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Magnolia Elementary El Cajon | 1.5 mi | 2.0 |
| OUR LADY OF GRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL El Cajon | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Pepper Drive Elementary El Cajon | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Northmont Elementary La Mesa | 2.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Mesa | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran La Mesa | 2.0 mi | — |
| Carlton Hills Elementary Santee | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Rio Seco Elementary Santee | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| EJE Elementary Academy Charter El Cajon | 2.3 mi | 3.1 |
| EJE Middle Academy El Cajon | 2.3 mi | 4.4 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Estrellita Continuation High Galt, CA | 3.6 |
| Moneta Continuation Gardena, CA | 3.6 |
| San Luis High (Continuation) Los Banos, CA | 3.6 |
| YESHIVA OHR ELCHONON CHABAD - WEST COAST Los Angeles, CA | 3.6 |
| Folsom Lake High Folsom, CA | 3.5 |
| IMMANUEL HOUSE INSTITUTE OF HIGHER LEARNING Moreno Valley, CA | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merit Academy
What grades does Merit Academy serve?
Merit Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Merit Academy?
Merit Academy has an enrollment of approximately 64 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merit Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Merit Academy is 64:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merit Academy rank in CA?
Merit Academy ranks #8,924 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Merit Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Merit Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Merit Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Merit Academy has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2021).
Is Merit Academy a charter school?
No, Merit Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merit Academy a Title I school?
No, Merit Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merit Academy?
87.5% of students at Merit 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 64
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 64:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.5%
- Type
- special_ed
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 95.3%
- Phone
- (619) 956-0600
- 4-Year Graduation
- 30.0%
Resources & Links
District
Grossmont Union High- District Enrollment
- 16,566
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,399
- District Rank
- #14 of 14
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
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