Skip to main content

Below Average

#8005 of 9,533 schools in CA

Pacific Coast Academy

School · Pacific Coast Academy District

13915 Danielson St. #103, Poway, CA 92064

Charter

Enrollment

5,612

Student-Teacher

35.1:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Poway

#12 of 13

public schools

California schools

#370 of 475

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Pacific Coast Academy

Pacific Coast Academy serves 5,612 students in grades kindergarten through 12 as a charter school in Poway, California. With 160 full-time equivalent teachers, the school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 35.1 to 1, reflecting the large scale of this educational community. Academically, Pacific Coast Academy ranks in the 48th percentile statewide, placing #4955 out of 9566 California schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10.

The school shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 53% of students score proficient or above across grade levels, while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 37% of students reaching proficiency standards. The school draws families from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $135,943 and median home values sit at $911,900. The surrounding area reflects a highly educated population, with 54% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 5.9%.

Pacific Coast Academy operates within Poway's large suburban setting in San Diego County, serving a diverse student body from kindergarten through high school in an established, prosperous community that values educational achievement.

What's said publicly about Pacific Coast Academy

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

Pacific Coast Academy is a school serving students in San Diego County and adjacent areas 1 . Its mission focuses on developing students into critical thinkers, responsible citizens, and innovative leaders prepared for 21st-century achievement 1 . The institution offers the Choice Plus Academy, a comprehensive program providing A-G-approved courses taught by credentialed educators 1 . Students in this program participate in Live Session Workshops twice per week to apply knowledge through collaborative activities 1 . Additionally, the school provides Elevate Concepts Learning, which includes free, live, online standards-based courses in core subjects and electives for various grade levels 1 . Community engagement is facilitated through in-person park days for families 1 . The school also offers over 100 in-person field trip options annually 1 . For younger students, PCA provides Developmental Robotics, a virtual program meeting twice a week that uses the Vex IQ platform to teach engineering and problem-solving skills 1 . Another offering, Spark Online Learning, aims to provide inquiry-based active learning opportunities 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.pacificcoastacademy.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Pacific Coast Academy is a large school with 5,612 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 Pacific Coast Academy is 35.1:1, 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.

Pacific Coast Academy 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.3Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.2%
Math vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College Readiness1.3Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio35.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,034

Pacific Coast Academy — Students at Pacific Coast Academy score 44% 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

38.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
35.7%
ELA Proficiency 51.8%
School
State
47.1%

Based on 20 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
37.1%
ELA
52.7%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Pacific Coast Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
16th percentile in CA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
35:1 student-teacher ratio
160 teachers

Location

13915 Danielson St. #103, Poway, CA 92064

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pacific Coast Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Tierra Bonita Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Midland Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEWBRIDGE SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Poway, see our Poway schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Cabrillo Point Academy Poway 0.0 mi 4.7
SKILLS LEARNING CENTER Poway 1.0 mi
ST GREGORY THE GREAT CATHOLIC SCHOOL San Diego 1.2 mi 5.2
Valley Elementary Poway 1.3 mi 5.8
CHILDRENS PRESCHOOL LEARNING CENTER Poway 1.5 mi
Garden Road Elementary Poway 1.6 mi 5.7
Midland Elementary Poway 1.9 mi 7.5
DISCOVERY ISLE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Poway 1.7 mi
NewBridge School Poway 2.1 mi
NEWBRIDGE SCHOOL Poway 2.1 mi 6.6
The Koonings Center Poway 2.2 mi
THE KOONINGS CENTER Poway 2.2 mi
THE GROWING PLACE MONTESSORI Poway 2.2 mi
Pomerado Elementary Poway 2.3 mi 5.4
Twin Peaks Middle Poway 2.7 mi 6.2
Tierra Bonita Elementary Poway 2.8 mi 8.6
Meadowbrook Middle Poway 2.7 mi 5.6
MONTESSORI CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Poway 3.1 mi
Abraxas Continuation High Poway 3.0 mi 6.0
Creekside Elementary San Diego 2.7 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92064 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$144,201

Median Home Value

$971,600

Median Rent

$2,261/mo

Population

48,555

College Educated

53.5%

Homeownership

75.7%

Avg Commute

24.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pacific Coast Academy has a median household income of $144,201. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $971,600, with a median rent of $2,261/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Cabrillo Point Academy Poway, CA 4.7
California Virtual Academy @ Los Angeles Simi Valley, CA 4.7
California Virtual Academy @ San Diego Simi Valley, CA 4.6
Mission Vista Academy Beaumont, CA 4.6
Blue Ridge Academy San Dimas, CA 4.5
River Springs Charter Temecula, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pacific Coast Academy

What grades does Pacific Coast Academy serve?

Pacific Coast Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Pacific Coast Academy?

Pacific Coast Academy has an enrollment of approximately 5,612 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pacific Coast Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Pacific Coast Academy is 35.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pacific Coast Academy rank in CA?

Pacific Coast Academy is ranked #8005 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Pacific Coast Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Pacific Coast Academy has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Pacific Coast Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pacific Coast Academy has 35.3% math proficiency and 51.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pacific Coast Academy a charter school?

Yes, Pacific Coast Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Pacific Coast Academy a Title I school?

No, Pacific Coast Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pacific Coast Academy?

38.9% of students at Pacific Coast 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

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (717/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
5,612
Student-Teacher Ratio
35.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
160
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pacific Coast Academy District
District Enrollment
5,612
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,974
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.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.