Average
#6659 of 9,533 schools in CA
Sonora Elementary
Elementary School · Newport-Mesa Unified
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Costa Mesa
#35 of 38
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,950 of 5,817
In district
#29 of 31
Newport-Mesa Unified
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Sonora Elementary
Sonora Elementary serves 376 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Costa Mesa, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.8:1 and 19 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned a solid 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 78th percentile statewide, placing it at #2092 out of 9566 California elementary schools. Academically, Sonora Elementary shows particular strength in English Language Arts, with 55% of students scoring proficient or above across all grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 38% of students currently achieve proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 7.1 out of 10 reflects steady performance as educators work to support student development across all subject areas. The school sits in the heart of Orange County's 92626 ZIP code, a well-established community where the median household income reaches $105,281 and 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
With a low poverty rate of 8.9% and median home values around $962,000, this neighborhood of 50,198 residents provides a stable, economically diverse environment. Sonora Elementary operates within Costa Mesa's mid-size city setting, offering families an accessible elementary education option in this thriving Orange County community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Sonora Elementary — Students at Sonora Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 13 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: 2.5/10.
How Sonora Elementary Compares
See how Sonora Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 38.24% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 55.5% (2024).
Location
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sonora Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. College Park Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FRONTIERS ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Greenville Fundamental Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Santa Ana), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Costa Mesa, see our Costa Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Costa Mesa | 0.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Monte Vista Independent Study Costa Mesa | 0.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Maude B. Davis Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Paularino Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Costa Mesa High Costa Mesa | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL-COSTA MESA Costa Mesa | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| California Pacific Charter - San Diego Costa Mesa | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles Costa Mesa | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Orange County Special Education Costa Mesa | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| ACCESS County Community Costa Mesa | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Frontiers Academy Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | — |
| FRONTIERS ACADEMY Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| MARINERS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Killybrooke Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| College Park Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Back Bay High Costa Mesa | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Francis Academy Santa Ana | 1.6 mi | — |
| Greenville Fundamental Elementary Santa Ana | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Montessori Harbor Mesa Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.5 mi | — |
| Suncoast Preparatory Academy Newport Beach | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood 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 Sonora 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 |
|---|---|
| A. H. Morgan Elementary Rialto, CA | 5.5 |
| Adams Elementary San Diego, CA | 5.5 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Westminster, CA | 5.5 |
| Big Springs Elementary Simi Valley, CA | 5.5 |
| Blackford Elementary San Jose, CA | 5.5 |
| Blanche Sprentz Elementary Folsom, CA | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sonora Elementary
What grades does Sonora Elementary serve?
Sonora Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Sonora Elementary?
Sonora Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sonora Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sonora Elementary is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sonora Elementary rank in CA?
Sonora Elementary is ranked #6659 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sonora Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sonora Elementary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Sonora Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sonora Elementary has 42.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sonora Elementary a charter school?
No, Sonora Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sonora Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sonora Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sonora Elementary?
76.6% of students at Sonora 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
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (714) 424-7955
- 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
- #29 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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