Average
#4908 of 9,533 schools in CA
Paularino Elementary
Elementary School · Newport-Mesa Unified
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Costa Mesa
#26 of 38
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,002 of 5,817
In district
#24 of 31
Newport-Mesa Unified
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Paularino Elementary
Paularino Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Costa Mesa, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 356 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. Paularino Elementary's MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.3 out of 10, placing it in the 64th percentile among California schools.
Academically, the school scores an average of 6.2 out of 10 and shows that 44% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 34% achieve proficiency or better in Math. Located in a mid-size city setting, Paularino Elementary is part of the vibrant community of Costa Mesa, offering a range of extracurricular activities and opportunities for student growth. Despite having room for improvement in academic performance, the school focuses on providing a supportive learning environment that encourages development in all areas.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Paularino Elementary — Students at Paularino Elementary score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 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: 4.5/10.
How Paularino Elementary Compares
See how Paularino Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 32.58% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 46.02% (2024).
Location
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paularino Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. College Park Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is California Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Greenville Fundamental Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Ana), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Costa Mesa, see our Costa Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92626 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,627
Median Home Value
$1,037,700
Median Rent
$2,520/mo
Population
50,569
College Educated
46.3%
Homeownership
42%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paularino Elementary has a median household income of $117,627. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,037,700, with a median rent of $2,520/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Arts In Action Community Charter Los Angeles, CA | 6.3 |
| BAYMONTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotts Valley, CA | 6.3 |
| Badillo Elementary Covina, CA | 6.3 |
| Beachy Avenue Elementary Arleta, CA | 6.3 |
| Bernhard Marks Elementary Dos Palos, CA | 6.3 |
| Birney Elementary Long Beach, CA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paularino Elementary
What grades does Paularino Elementary serve?
Paularino Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Paularino Elementary?
Paularino Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paularino Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Paularino Elementary is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paularino Elementary rank in CA?
Paularino Elementary is ranked #4908 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Paularino Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Paularino Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Paularino Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paularino Elementary has 33.5% math proficiency and 44.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paularino Elementary a charter school?
No, Paularino Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paularino Elementary a Title I school?
No, Paularino Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paularino Elementary?
72.5% of students at Paularino Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
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 – 6th
- Enrollment
- 356
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (714) 424-7950
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport-Mesa Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,768
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,064
- District Rank
- #24 of 31
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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