Average
#6547 of 9,533 schools in CA
Nova Academy Early College High
High School · Nova Academy Early College High District
500 West Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Ana
#54 of 73
public schools
California high schools
#1,402 of 1,892
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Nova Academy Early College High
Nova Academy Early College High is a charter high school located in Santa Ana, California, nestled within Orange County’s bustling urban landscape. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 288 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Nova Academy Early College High shows room for improvement; it ranks in the 38th percentile among California schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 5.2 out of 10.
In English Language Arts (ELA), 62% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 16% meet proficiency standards. Despite the challenges highlighted by these test scores, Nova Academy Early College High offers a unique early college program that aims to provide students with a head start on higher education. The school’s setting in Santa Ana, a vibrant and diverse city, offers a rich community environment for its students, fostering a blend of academic and real-world experiences.
What Parents Should Know
Nova Academy Early College High is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Nova Academy Early College High — Students at Nova Academy Early College High score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.4/10.
How Nova Academy Early College High Compares
See how Nova Academy Early College High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 7.79% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 59.74% (2024).
Location
500 West Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nova Academy Early College High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. OCSA (rated 8.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Santa Ana High (rated 6.0/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Santa Ana, see our Santa Ana schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Martin R. Heninger Elementary Santa Ana | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Santa Ana High Santa Ana | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Orange County Educational Arts Academy Santa Ana | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| El Sol Santa Ana Science and Arts Academy Santa Ana | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| STORYBOOK PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Santa Ana | 0.5 mi | — |
| STORYBOOK PRESCHOOL Santa Ana | 0.5 mi | — |
| OCSA Santa Ana | 0.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Edward B. Cole Academy Santa Ana | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Willard Intermediate Santa Ana | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Heroes Elementary Santa Ana | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Lowell Elementary Santa Ana | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Pio Pico Elementary Santa Ana | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Franklin Elementary Santa Ana | 0.8 mi | 3.2 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Ana | 0.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Scholarship Prep - Orange County Santa Ana | 0.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Garfield Elementary Santa Ana | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Wilson Elementary Santa Ana | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Wallace R. Davis Elementary Santa Ana | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| George Washington Carver Elementary Santa Ana | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Julia C. Lathrop Intermediate Santa Ana | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,697
Median Home Value
$608,300
Median Rent
$1,650/mo
Population
48,272
College Educated
11%
Homeownership
29.2%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
15.7%
Median Age
33
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nova Academy Early College High has a median household income of $68,697. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $608,300, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| ACE Charter High San Jose, CA | 5.5 |
| Aspire Stockton 6-12 Secondary Academy Stockton, CA | 5.5 |
| Central High Los Angeles, CA | 5.5 |
| Hamilton High Hamilton City, CA | 5.5 |
| High Tech LA Lake Balboa, CA | 5.5 |
| Peninsula High (Continuation) Burlingame, CA | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nova Academy Early College High
What grades does Nova Academy Early College High serve?
Nova Academy Early College High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Nova Academy Early College High?
Nova Academy Early College High has an enrollment of approximately 288 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nova Academy Early College High?
The student-teacher ratio at Nova Academy Early College High is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nova Academy Early College High rank in CA?
Nova Academy Early College High is ranked #6547 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Nova Academy Early College High's MySchoolScout rating?
Nova Academy Early College High has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Nova Academy Early College High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nova Academy Early College High has 16.1% math proficiency and 62.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nova Academy Early College High a charter school?
Yes, Nova Academy Early College High is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Nova Academy Early College High a Title I school?
No, Nova Academy Early College High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nova Academy Early College High?
88.5% of students at Nova Academy Early College 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,203/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Ana). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 288
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (714) 569-0948
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nova Academy Early College High District- District Enrollment
- 288
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,256
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
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