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
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
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Stella Maris Academy compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in La Jolla, CA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (858) 454-2461
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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