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Below Average

#1637 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School

Elementary School

9191 FLETCHER PKWY, La Mesa, CA 91942

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 27 schools in La Mesa. Learn more

Enrollment

53

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 7th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In La Mesa

#5 of 6

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,002 of 1,102

About Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School serves 53 students in kindergarten through seventh grade in La Mesa, California. This small elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 16.1 to 1, supported by three full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10, reflecting solid performance within the California education system.

While ranked at number 1375 out of 1790 elementary schools statewide (23rd percentile), the school provides personalized attention that can benefit from its small size and focused approach to student development. Located on Fletcher Parkway, the school serves families in a well-established suburban community where the median household income reaches $80,996 and median home values are $645,500. The surrounding neighborhood demonstrates strong educational values, with 38 percent of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains economic stability with an 11.8 percent poverty rate.

The intimate scale of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School allows for close relationships between students, teachers, and families, creating a tight-knit educational community. The school operates within La Mesa's large suburban setting, providing families access to both quality education and the amenities of the greater San Diego area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 53 students, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School compares to 24 public schools serving similar grades in La Mesa, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
This School
vs
24.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
53
This School
vs
488
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.7
This School
vs
5.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 66% vs 0%
Hispanic 18.9% vs 0%
Asian 3.8% vs 0%
Black 1.9% vs 0%
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School La Mesa Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School (this school) 4.7
Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy 5.8
Northmont Elementary 3.5
Fletcher Hills Elementary 4.8
Murray Manor Elementary 7.8
JCS - Manzanita 7.8
Lemon Avenue Elementary 6.5
Maryland Avenue Elementary 7.5
Murdock Elementary 4.6
Sparrow Academy 6.2
The Learning Choice Academy - East County 5.7
La Mesa Dale Elementary 6.2
La Mesa Arts Academy 7.8
Rolando Elementary 6.5
Casa de Oro Elementary 5.7
Avocado Elementary 5.2
Highlands Elementary 5.7
Vista La Mesa Academy 6.0
Loma Elementary 5.4
Bancroft Elementary 5.1
Sweetwater Springs Elementary 5.6

Showing 20 of 24 schools. View all schools in La Mesa

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C+ 4.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 16.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,196.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 52%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 53
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 66.0%
Hispanic 18.9%
Two or More 9.4%
Asian 3.8%
Black 1.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

9191 FLETCHER PKWY, La Mesa, CA 91942

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gage Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Murray Manor Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MT HELIX ACADEMY - TIEE (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran La Mesa 0.0 mi
Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy La Mesa 0.3 mi 5.8
FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL El Cajon 0.4 mi 6.7
Mt. Helix Academy La Mesa 0.5 mi
MT HELIX ACADEMY - TIEE La Mesa 0.5 mi 7.7
MT. HELIX ACADEMY La Mesa 0.5 mi 7.4
Northmont Elementary La Mesa 0.5 mi 3.5
Fletcher Hills Elementary La Mesa 0.6 mi 4.8
OUR LADY OF GRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL El Cajon 0.7 mi 5.8
Sierra School Of San Diego San Diego 1.0 mi
SIERRA SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO San Diego 1.0 mi 5.7
Gage Elementary San Diego 1.2 mi 8.2
Murray Manor Elementary La Mesa 1.1 mi 7.8
Grossmont High La Mesa 1.2 mi 5.8
Pershing Middle San Diego 1.2 mi 7.1
WARREN-WALKER SCHOOL-LA MESA La Mesa 1.5 mi 5.5
JCS - Manzanita La Mesa 1.5 mi 7.8
Grossmont Middle College High El Cajon 1.6 mi 7.9
Flying Hills School of Arts El Cajon 1.7 mi 3.3
Lemon Avenue Elementary La Mesa 1.9 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91942 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,262

Median Home Value

$689,300

Median Rent

$1,934/mo

Population

40,920

College Educated

38.2%

Homeownership

44%

Avg Commute

24.7 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School has a median household income of $81,262. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $689,300, with a median rent of $1,934/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. 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
Danbury Special Education Claremont, CA 4.7
Fallbrook Virtual Academy Fallbrook, CA 4.7
DAR-UL-MADINAH Sacramento, CA 4.8
HIGHLAND AVENUE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Cucamonga, CA 4.8
McKittrick Elementary Mckittrick, CA 4.8
Mountain Elementary Gasquet, CA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School

What grades does Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School serve?

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 7th.

How many students attend Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School?

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 53 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School?

The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School rank in CA?

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School is ranked #1637 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School 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.

Is Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School a private school?

Yes, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School a religious school?

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School has a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,806/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Enrollment
53
Gender Split
51% M / 49% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
176 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
SAN DIEGO
Data Year
2022–2023

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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