Needs Improvement
#8924 of 9,539 schools in CA
Merit Academy
High School · Grossmont Union High · La Mesa, CA
A Grossmont Union High high school where students score 13 points below what's typical for similar communities.
PO Box 1043, La Mesa, CA 91944
- Math 0% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 25% proficient (2021)
- 30.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at Merit Academy score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency has held near 25% across the 7-year record (2015–2021).
Show all 6 years by subject
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 18% (multi-year average, 2015-2024) · reading/ELA 25% (multi-year average, 2015-2021)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
87.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Merit Academy sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the San Diego map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 56Somewhat Walkable
- Transit 36Some Transit
- Bike 33Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High1,806/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (La Mesa), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaparral HighEnrollment path unverified | 6.6 | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 76 | Compare → |
| Idea CenterEnrollment path unverified | 4.7 | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 138 | Compare → |
| Altus Schools East CountyCharter · enrollment unverified | 4.6 | 7–12 | 1.3 mi | 260 | Compare → |
| Grossmont Middle College HighEnrollment path unverified | 9.2 | 11–12 | 1.5 mi | 51 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Grossmont Union High
- Schools in district
- 15
- Rank in district
- #14 of 14
- District spending per student
- $18,399NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 13.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Merit Academy is listed in Grossmont Union High; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Merit Academy
Merit Academy is a public high school in La Mesa, CA, part of Grossmont Union High, serving approximately 64 students in grades 9th-12th with a 64:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #8,924 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2021).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 64
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 64:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- 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%
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2021 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2021 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2015-2024, multi-year average, 2015-2021; directory SY 2023–24
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