Very Good
#2349 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 25% in state
Paularino Elementary
Elementary School · Newport-Mesa Unified
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,349 of 9,539
In Costa Mesa
#24 of 39
public schools
In district
#24 of 31
Newport-Mesa Unified
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Paularino Elementary
Elementary School in Costa Mesa · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St John the Baptist Catholic School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Christian Montessori School-costa Mesa
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Paularino Elementary
Paularino Elementary is a public elementary school in Costa Mesa, CA, part of Newport-Mesa Unified. Paularino Elementary serves approximately 356 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Paularino Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,349 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Paularino Elementary show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 8.2
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
36% of students at Paularino Elementary 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 38 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: 7.0/10.
How Paularino Elementary Compares
See how Paularino Elementary 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
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. California Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maude B. Davis Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Killybrooke Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. L. Conner Elementary Orange Cove, CA | 7.6 |
| Abram Agnew Elementary San Jose, CA | 7.6 |
| Birch Grove Intermediate Newark, CA | 7.6 |
| Bowers Elementary Santa Clara, CA | 7.6 |
| Cadwallader Elementary San Jose, CA | 7.6 |
| California Creative Learning Academy Los Angeles, CA | 7.6 |
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 ranks #2,349 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Paularino Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Paularino Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Paularino Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paularino Elementary has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.7%
- Phone
- (714) 424-7950
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
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