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Average

#3644 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 38% in state

Mira Costa High

High School · Manhattan Beach Unified

325 South Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Enrollment

2,568

Student-Teacher

24:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Manhattan Beach

#7 of 7

public schools

California high schools

#686 of 1,892

In district

#7 of 7

Manhattan Beach Unified

Equity

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Mira Costa High

Mira Costa High serves 2,568 students in grades 9-12 in the affluent coastal community of Manhattan Beach, California. With 107 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 24:1 student-teacher ratio while earning strong recognition as the #1,702 ranked high school out of 9,566 California schools, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and an impressive 8.8 academic score.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 76% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. In mathematics, 54% of students perform at proficient or above levels, indicating steady achievement in this core subject area. Mira Costa High draws from an exceptionally well-educated community where 78% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $187,217.

The school's ZIP code 90266 encompasses 35,123 residents with a notably low poverty rate of just 3.2%, reflecting the area's economic stability. With median home values at $2 million, this large suburban setting provides students with access to significant community resources and educational support.

What Parents Should Know

Mira Costa High is a large school with 2,568 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Mira Costa High is 24:1, 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 Progress3.8Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.1%
Math vs. State Avg+26.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.2 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected-6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation50.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,448

Mira Costa High — Students at Mira Costa High score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

6.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 81.6%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
68%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2024
Math
54.1%
ELA
76.1%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Mira Costa High Compares

See how Mira Costa High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
62th percentile in CA
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
7%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
107 teachers

Location

325 South Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mira Costa High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. FUSION ACADEMY SB: SOUTH BAY (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Hermosa Beach), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BEACH CITIES LEARNING CENTER (rated 5.8/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Manhattan Beach, see our Manhattan Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
JOURNEY OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Manhattan Beach 0.2 mi
Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary Manhattan Beach 0.3 mi 6.8
Hermosa View Elementary Hermosa Beach 0.4 mi 8.2
FUSION ACADEMY SB: SOUTH BAY Hermosa Beach 0.6 mi 6.9
Fusion Academy South Bay Hermosa Beach 0.6 mi
Hermosa Valley Elementary Hermosa Beach 0.7 mi 7.5
Hermosa Vista Hermosa Beach 0.8 mi 6.9
DEL SOL PRESCHOOL-KINDERGARTEN:A REGGIO-INSPIRED C Manhattan Beach 0.9 mi
Birney Elementary Redondo Beach 0.8 mi 7.9
Meadows Avenue Elementary Manhattan Beach 1.0 mi 8.9
Beach Cities Learning, Manhattan Beach Manhattan Beach 1.0 mi
BEACH CITIES LEARNING CENTER Manhattan Beach 1.0 mi 5.8
MANHATTAN ACADEMY Manhattan Beach 1.0 mi 7.1
Manhattan Academy Manhattan Beach 1.0 mi
Creative Kids Manhattan Beach 1.0 mi
Opal Robinson Elementary Manhattan Beach 0.9 mi 7.2
Manhattan Beach Middle Manhattan Beach 1.1 mi 7.3
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Hermosa Beach 1.1 mi 7.1
Magic Rainbow Pre School Manhattan Bch 1.1 mi
Jefferson Elementary Redondo Beach 1.1 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90266 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$193,904

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$3,492/mo

Population

34,584

College Educated

79%

Homeownership

66.1%

Avg Commute

28.9 min

Poverty Rate

3.6%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mira Costa High has a median household income of $193,904. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $3,492/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Buena Park High Buena Park, CA 6.8
Calabasas High Calabasas, CA 6.8
Centennial High Corona, CA 6.8
Chaparral High Temecula, CA 6.8
Chico High Chico, CA 6.8
Cosumnes Oaks High Elk Grove, CA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mira Costa High

What grades does Mira Costa High serve?

Mira Costa High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mira Costa High?

Mira Costa High has an enrollment of approximately 2,568 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mira Costa High?

The student-teacher ratio at Mira Costa High is 24:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mira Costa High rank in CA?

Mira Costa High is ranked #3644 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Mira Costa High's MySchoolScout rating?

Mira Costa High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Mira Costa High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mira Costa High has 62.0% math proficiency and 81.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mira Costa High a charter school?

No, Mira Costa High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mira Costa High a Title I school?

No, Mira Costa High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mira Costa High?

6.9% of students at Mira Costa High 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
60 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,692/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Manhattan Beach). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,568
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
Teachers (FTE)
107
Free/Reduced Lunch
6.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Manhattan Beach Unified
District Enrollment
5,925
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,115
District Rank
#7 of 7

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

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