Needs Improvement
#9215 of 9,539 schools in CA
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
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher
7.5:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,215 of 9,539
In Costa Mesa
#39 of 39
public schools
In district
#5 of 5
Orange County Department of Education
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Orange County Special Education
School in Costa Mesa · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Access County Community
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
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0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Orange County Special Education
Orange County Special Education is a public school in Costa Mesa, CA, part of Orange County Department of Education. Orange County Special Education serves approximately 353 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 7.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Orange County Special Education has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #9,215 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Orange County Special Education show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.4
- CA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 7.5:1 students to teachers, Orange County Special Education sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
48% of students at Orange County Special Education were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
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Orange County Special Education — Students at Orange County Special Education score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 28 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: 1.6/10.
How Orange County Special Education Compares
See how Orange County Special Education performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles (rated 6.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is California Pacific Charter - San Diego (rated 5.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Suncoast Preparatory Academy (rated 5.1/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Newport Beach), which scores notably higher. 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 | 4.5 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Sonora Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| NEWPORT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newport Beach | 1.2 mi | — |
| Monte Vista Independent Study Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Costa Mesa | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Back Bay High Costa Mesa | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Maude B. Davis Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Fusion Academy - Newport Beach Irvine | 1.3 mi | — |
| California Pacific Charter - San Diego Costa Mesa | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles Costa Mesa | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| FUSION ACADEMY NEWPORT BEACH Irvine | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Francis Academy Santa Ana | 1.6 mi | — |
| Taft Elementary Santa Ana | 1.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Paularino Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Costa Mesa High Costa Mesa | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Imperial County Special Education El Centro, CA | 3.2 |
| OUSD EDGE Virtual Academy Orange, CA | 3.2 |
| Tracy Independent Study Charter Tracy, CA | 3.2 |
| Lincoln (Abraham) (Alternative) Marysville, CA | 3.3 |
| SANIKU GAKUIN SANTA CLARA JAPANESE SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 3.1 |
| Kings County Special Education Hanford, CA | 3.4 |
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 ranks #9,215 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Orange County Special Education's MySchoolScout rating?
Orange County Special Education has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Orange County Special Education?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Orange County Special Education has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 48.2%
- Phone
- (714) 966-4129
- 4-Year Graduation
- ≤10%
Resources & Links
District
Orange County Department of Education- District Enrollment
- 2,551
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $104,591
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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