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Average

#4516 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 47% in state

Orange County Special Education

School · Orange County Department of Education

PO Box 9050, Costa Mesa, CA 92628

Enrollment

353

Student-Teacher

7.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Costa Mesa

#25 of 38

public schools

California schools

#138 of 475

In district

#2 of 4

Orange County Department of Education

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Orange County Special Education

Orange County Special Education serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade in Costa Mesa, California. With an enrollment of 353 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, the school provides individualized attention to each child. The teaching staff consists of 47 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with students to support their unique needs.

Academically, Orange County Special Education is rated at 3.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks in the 24th percentile among California schools based on its state ranking. The school's academic score stands at 1.2 out of 10, with only 4% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 3% in Math across all grades. While these numbers indicate areas for improvement, the focus is clearly on student development and support rather than solely on standardized test scores.

Located in a mid-size city setting, Orange County Special Education benefits from being part of Costa Mesa's diverse community while offering specialized educational programs tailored to its students' needs.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Orange County Special Education are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, Orange County Special Education offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics1.4Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency4.3%
Math vs. State Avg-27.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-41.8 pts
Overall Proficiency4%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-48.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$90,934

Orange County Special Education — Students at Orange County Special Education score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 3.0%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 4.2%
School
State
49.7%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2024
Math
3.4%
ELA
5.3%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Orange County Special Education Compares

See how Orange County Special Education performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in CA
Academic
1.4/10
1.4/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

PO Box 9050, Costa Mesa, CA 92628

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orange County Special Education may also want to explore other schools in the area. ACCESS County Community (rated 6.8/10), with a very similar rating. Another option is California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles (rated 5.8/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Suncoast Preparatory Academy (rated 4.9/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Newport Beach), a more accessible option. For more schools in Costa Mesa, see our Costa Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
ACCESS County Community Costa Mesa 0.0 mi 6.8
MARINERS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Costa Mesa 0.3 mi 5.2
Frontiers Academy Costa Mesa 0.5 mi
FRONTIERS ACADEMY Costa Mesa 0.5 mi 7.4
Suncoast Preparatory Academy Newport Beach 0.9 mi 4.9
Sonora Elementary Costa Mesa 0.9 mi 5.5
NEWPORT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newport Beach 1.2 mi
Monte Vista Independent Study Costa Mesa 1.1 mi 7.9
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Costa Mesa 1.2 mi 7.1
Back Bay High Costa Mesa 1.4 mi 6.0
Maude B. Davis Elementary Costa Mesa 1.2 mi 6.0
Fusion Academy - Newport Beach Irvine 1.3 mi
California Pacific Charter - San Diego Costa Mesa 1.4 mi 4.5
California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles Costa Mesa 1.4 mi 5.8
FUSION ACADEMY NEWPORT BEACH Irvine 1.3 mi 6.2
Francis Academy Santa Ana 1.6 mi
Taft Elementary Santa Ana 1.6 mi 5.4
Paularino Elementary Costa Mesa 1.4 mi 6.3
Costa Mesa High Costa Mesa 1.5 mi 6.6
CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL-COSTA MESA Costa Mesa 1.7 mi 5.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Advanced Learning Academy Santa Ana, CA 6.5
Diego Hills Central Public Charter San Diego, CA 6.5
Duane E. Furman Independent Study Madera, CA 6.5
Kern County Community Bakersfield, CA 6.5
SOUTHLANDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Rowland Heights, CA 6.5
STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Merced, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orange County Special Education

What grades does Orange County Special Education serve?

Orange County Special Education serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Orange County Special Education?

Orange County Special Education has an enrollment of approximately 353 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orange County Special Education?

The student-teacher ratio at Orange County Special Education is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orange County Special Education rank in CA?

Orange County Special Education is ranked #4516 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Orange County Special Education's MySchoolScout rating?

Orange County Special Education has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Orange County Special Education?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orange County Special Education has 3.0% math proficiency and 4.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Orange County Special Education a charter school?

No, Orange County Special Education is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Orange County Special Education a Title I school?

No, Orange County Special Education is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Orange County Special Education?

39.1% of students at Orange County Special Education 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 (3,601/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Midsize City
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Orange County Department of Education
District Enrollment
2,551
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$104,591
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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