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Average

#5021 of 9,533 schools in CA

Sparrow Academy

Elementary School · Sparrow Academy District

4207 Spring Gardens Rd., La Mesa, CA 91941

Charter

Enrollment

348

Student-Teacher

26.8:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In La Mesa

#9 of 27

public schools

California elementary schools

#3,061 of 5,817

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Sparrow Academy

Sparrow Academy is a charter school located in the suburban community of La Mesa, California. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, Sparrow Academy has an enrollment of 348 students and employs 13 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 26.8:1. The school offers a regular public education curriculum with room for academic growth, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and state ranking of #4614 among California's schools.

Sparrow Academy’s academic performance shows that 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 41% achieve proficiency or higher in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on enhancing student development to help more children reach their full potential. Situated in a large suburban area, Sparrow Academy benefits from a supportive community environment that encourages learning and growth for its students.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Sparrow Academy is 26.8:1, 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.

Sparrow 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.4%
Math vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.4 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-19.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.5Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,512

Sparrow Academy — Students at Sparrow Academy score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.7%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 45.0%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
43.2%
ELA
43.7%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Sparrow Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in CA
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
1.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

4207 Spring Gardens Rd., La Mesa, CA 91941

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sparrow Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mt. Vernon Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Lemon Grove), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center (rated 7.6/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Lemon Grove), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lemon Avenue Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
The Learning Choice Academy - East County La Mesa 0.0 mi 5.7
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spring Valley 0.5 mi 4.4
Acton Academy San Diego East La Mesa 0.7 mi
FRED FINCH YOUTH CENTER NONPUBLIC SCHOOL Spring Valley 0.8 mi
Lemon Avenue Elementary La Mesa 0.8 mi 6.5
Brookshire International Academy La Mesa 0.8 mi
St. John of the Cross School Lemon Grove 1.0 mi
La Mesa Arts Academy La Mesa 1.0 mi 7.8
CHRIST LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY La Mesa 1.1 mi 4.7
WARREN-WALKER SCHOOL-LA MESA La Mesa 1.2 mi 5.5
JCS - Manzanita La Mesa 1.4 mi 7.8
La Mesa Dale Elementary La Mesa 1.2 mi 6.2
Lemon Grove Academy Elementary Lemon Grove 1.4 mi 5.7
Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center Lemon Grove 1.6 mi 7.6
ST MARTIN OF TOURS ACADEMY La Mesa 1.4 mi 5.6
Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences and Humanities Lemon Grove 1.5 mi 4.6
Helix High La Mesa 1.4 mi 6.2
TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN La Mesa 1.5 mi
Mt. Vernon Elementary Lemon Grove 1.7 mi 8.3
An-Nur Learning Academy La Mesa 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91941 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,607

Median Home Value

$884,800

Median Rent

$2,067/mo

Population

33,706

College Educated

45.9%

Homeownership

65.5%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

41.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sparrow Academy has a median household income of $111,607. 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 $884,800, with a median rent of $2,067/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Apple Blossom Sebastopol, CA 6.2
Armstrong Elementary Diamond Bar, CA 6.2
Ben Lomond Elementary Covina, CA 6.2
Blanchard Elementary Santa Paula, CA 6.2
Brooktree Elementary San Jose, CA 6.2
Brookvale Elementary Fremont, CA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sparrow Academy

What grades does Sparrow Academy serve?

Sparrow Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Sparrow Academy?

Sparrow Academy has an enrollment of approximately 348 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sparrow Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Sparrow Academy is 26.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sparrow Academy rank in CA?

Sparrow Academy is ranked #5021 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sparrow Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Sparrow Academy has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Sparrow Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sparrow Academy has 40.7% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sparrow Academy a charter school?

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

Is Sparrow Academy a Title I school?

No, Sparrow Academy is not currently a Title I school.

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

27.9% of students at Sparrow 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

City Safety
High (1,806/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sparrow Academy District
District Enrollment
348
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,654
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

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