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Needs Improvement

#9130 of 9,533 schools in CA

Merit Academy

High School · Grossmont Union High

PO Box 1043, La Mesa, CA 91944

Enrollment

64

Student-Teacher

64:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In La Mesa

#24 of 27

public schools

California high schools

#1,852 of 1,892

In district

#14 of 14

Grossmont Union High

About Merit Academy

MERIT Academy is a regular public high school located in La Mesa, California, within San Diego County. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 64 students and offers a unique learning environment with a single full-time teacher, resulting in a very high student-teacher ratio of 64:1. The school is situated in a large suburban area that provides both urban amenities and a sense of community.

MERIT Academy's academic performance currently ranks lower compared to other schools in California, earning it a MySchoolScout Rating of 1.8 out of 10 and placing it at the 1th percentile among all high schools in the state. Test scores show that 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 12% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, MERIT Academy remains committed to providing a supportive learning environment where each student receives individual attention and support.

MERIT Academy's setting offers a blend of suburban living with easy access to city resources, making it an interesting option for families seeking personalized educational experiences.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 64 students, Merit Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Merit Academy is 64:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.3Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio64:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,093

Merit Academy — Students at Merit Academy score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 12.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Merit Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in CA
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
1.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
64:1 student-teacher ratio
1 teachers

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 7.9/10, 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 5.2/10, 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 5.2
IDEA Center El Cajon 0.0 mi 3.8
Flying Hills School of Arts El Cajon 0.4 mi 3.3
Johnson Elementary El Cajon 1.3 mi 6.5
Altus Schools East County San Diego 1.3 mi 4.9
PRIDE Academy at Prospect Avenue Santee 1.4 mi 7.5
Fletcher Hills Elementary La Mesa 1.4 mi 4.8
FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL El Cajon 1.6 mi 6.7
Grossmont Middle College High El Cajon 1.5 mi 7.9
Magnolia Elementary El Cajon 1.5 mi 3.5
OUR LADY OF GRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL El Cajon 1.7 mi 5.8
Pepper Drive Elementary El Cajon 1.7 mi 6.4
Northmont Elementary La Mesa 2.0 mi 3.5
Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon 1.9 mi 5.7
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 8.2
Rio Seco Elementary Santee 2.3 mi 6.6
EJE Elementary Academy Charter El Cajon 2.3 mi 2.6
EJE Middle Academy El Cajon 2.3 mi 4.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
IMMANUEL HOUSE INSTITUTE OF HIGHER LEARNING Moreno Valley, CA 3.7
Elm High Fresno, CA 3.6
Imperial Ave. Holbrook High Imperial, CA 3.6
Vallecito Continuation High Angels Camp, CA 3.6
YESHIVA OHR ELCHONON CHABAD - WEST COAST Los Angeles, CA 3.6
Discovery High Yreka, CA 3.9

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 is ranked #9130 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Merit Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Merit Academy has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Merit Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merit Academy has 12.5% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,806/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grossmont Union High
District Enrollment
16,566
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,399
District Rank
#14 of 14

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

Related reading

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