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Very Good

#365 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 20% of private schools

Stella Maris Academy

Elementary School

7654 HERSCHEL AVE, La Jolla, CA 92037

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

152

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In La Jolla

#3 of 9

public schools

California elementary schools

#208 of 1,102

About Stella Maris Academy

Stella Maris Academy serves 152 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in the prestigious La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego. This elementary school maintains an impressive 8.5:1 student-teacher ratio with 18 full-time equivalent teachers, providing an intimate learning environment where students receive significant individual attention. The school has earned recognition for its academic excellence, ranking #64 out of 1,790 schools statewide and placing in the 96th percentile of California schools.

This outstanding performance reflects the school's commitment to educational quality and student achievement. Located on Herschel Avenue, Stella Maris Academy draws from one of San Diego's most affluent and educated communities. The surrounding 92037 zip code area has a median household income of $136,601 and a median home value of $1,839,900, with 74% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The low poverty rate of 8.8% indicates a community with strong economic stability. The small enrollment of 152 students allows for a close-knit school community where students can develop meaningful relationships with both peers and faculty. Stella Maris Academy operates within the vibrant coastal community of La Jolla, known for its scenic beauty, cultural attractions, and strong commitment to education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 152 students, Stella Maris Academy 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, Stella Maris Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Stella Maris Academy 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 Stella Maris Academy compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in La Jolla, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
This School
vs
23.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
152
This School
vs
587
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.2
This School
vs
7.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 52.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 32.9% vs 0%
Asian 3.3% vs 0%
Black 0.7% vs 0%
Stella Maris Academy La Jolla Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Stella Maris Academy (this school) 7.2
La Jolla Elementary 6.3
Muirlands Middle 8.1
Torrey Pines Elementary 7.7
Bird Rock Elementary 6.0
Preuss School UCSD 7.5

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)
A- 7.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,203.6
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 61%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 152
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 52.6%
Hispanic 32.9%
Two or More 9.9%
Asian 3.3%
Black 0.7%
Pacific Islander 0.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

7654 HERSCHEL AVE, La Jolla, CA 92037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Stella Maris Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SAN DIEGO FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Torrey Pines Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, THE CHILDRENS SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in La Jolla, see our La Jolla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Stella Maris Academy La Jolla 0.0 mi
DAY PREP La Jolla 0.2 mi 6.0
LA JOLLA VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL La Jolla 0.3 mi
Gillispie School La Jolla 0.3 mi
La Jolla Elementary La Jolla 0.3 mi 6.3
THE GILLISPIE SCHOOL La Jolla 0.3 mi 6.7
THE BISHOP'S SCHOOL La Jolla 0.4 mi 6.2
Bishop's School, The La Jolla 0.4 mi
La Jolla High La Jolla 0.7 mi 8.0
Muirlands Middle La Jolla 0.8 mi 8.1
THE CHILDRENS SCHOOL La Jolla 1.2 mi 7.5
ALL HALLOWS ACADEMY La Jolla 1.5 mi 6.8
The Evans School La Jolla 1.5 mi
All Hallows Academy La Jolla 1.5 mi
San Diego French-American School La Jolla 1.5 mi
SAN DIEGO FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL La Jolla 1.6 mi 7.7
Greenfield EDU La Jolla 2.1 mi
Torrey Pines Elementary La Jolla 2.0 mi 7.7
Bird Rock Elementary La Jolla 2.3 mi 6.0
BETH MONTESSORI La Jolla 2.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$141,822

Median Home Value

$1,857,800

Median Rent

$2,632/mo

Population

39,284

College Educated

75.6%

Homeownership

62%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

44.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Stella Maris Academy has a median household income of $141,822. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,857,800, with a median rent of $2,632/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% 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
Alvina Elementary Charter Caruthers, CA 7.2
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sierra Madre, CA 7.2
Burrel Elementary Riverdale, CA 7.2
CATHEDRAL CHAPEL SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 7.2
Ducor Union Elementary Ducor, CA 7.2
EAST VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Jose, CA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Stella Maris Academy

What grades does Stella Maris Academy serve?

Stella Maris Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Stella Maris Academy?

Stella Maris Academy has an enrollment of approximately 152 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Stella Maris Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Stella Maris Academy is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Stella Maris Academy rank in CA?

Stella Maris Academy is ranked #365 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Stella Maris Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Stella Maris Academy has a composite rating of 7.2 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.

Is Stella Maris Academy a private school?

Yes, Stella Maris Academy is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Stella Maris Academy a religious school?

Stella Maris Academy has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
98 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
152
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
177 days
Setting
Large City
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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