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Needs Improvement

#8702 of 9,539 schools in CA

Surfside Academy

School · Oceanside Unified

1125 South Ditmar St., Oceanside, CA 92054

Enrollment

266

Student-Teacher

24.2:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,702 of 9,539

In Oceanside

#27 of 28

public schools

In district

#22 of 23

Oceanside Unified

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Surfside Academy

3.9/10

School in Oceanside · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Surfside High (continuation)

5.2/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St Mary Star of the Sea School

6.7/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Surfside Academy

Surfside Academy is a public school in Oceanside, CA, part of Oceanside Unified. Surfside Academy serves approximately 266 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 24.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Surfside Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #8,702 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Surfside Academy show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.6
  • CA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Surfside Academy runs 24.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

41% of students at Surfside Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-4.17 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-20.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.1 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness6.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate64.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,136
Chronic Absenteeism41%

Surfside Academy — Students at Surfside Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.8% (multi-year average, 2020-2024)
School
State
33.0% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 40.8% (multi-year average, 2020-2024)
School
State
49.1% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2020*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
32.2%
ELA
51.7%
2024
Math
16.9%
ELA
33.7%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Surfside Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
9th percentile in CA
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.0%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1125 South Ditmar St., Oceanside, CA 92054

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Surfside Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Carlsbad), which scores notably higher. Another option is Buena Vista Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Carlsbad), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Terrace Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oceanside, see our Oceanside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Surfside High (Continuation) Oceanside 0.0 mi 5.2
ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL Oceanside 0.3 mi 6.7
St. Mary Star of the Sea Elementary Oceanside 0.3 mi
South Oceanside Elementary Oceanside 0.8 mi 4.7
Oceanside High Oceanside 0.9 mi 5.2
Palmquist Elementary Oceanside 1.0 mi 5.1
Lincoln Middle Oceanside 1.0 mi 6.6
OCEANSIDE ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Oceanside 1.2 mi 4.9
Oceanside Adventist Elementary Oceanside 1.2 mi
Mission Elementary Oceanside 1.5 mi 5.2
Laurel Elementary Oceanside 1.6 mi 5.7
Oceanside Unified School District Adult Transition Program Oceanside 1.7 mi 5.5
Jefferson Middle Oceanside 1.7 mi 5.0
ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY Carlsbad 1.7 mi 8.5
Army and Navy Academy Carlsbad 1.7 mi
Buena Vista Elementary Carlsbad 1.8 mi 8.4
Coastal Sage Montessori Carlsbad 1.9 mi
North Terrace Elementary Oceanside 2.3 mi 6.9
TERI- The Learning Academy Oceanside 2.3 mi
TERI, INC. The Country School Oceanside 2.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92054 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,974

Median Home Value

$851,100

Median Rent

$1,847/mo

Population

37,546

College Educated

36.2%

Homeownership

39.3%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

39.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ST THOMAS MORE SCHOOL San Jose, CA 3.9
Sonoma County Special Education Santa Rosa, CA 3.9
California Connections Academy North Bay Ripon, CA 4.1
Marin County Special Education San Rafael, CA 4.1
Solano County Special Education Fairfield, CA 3.7
Sutter County Special Education Yuba City, CA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Surfside Academy

What grades does Surfside Academy serve?

Surfside Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Surfside Academy?

Surfside Academy has an enrollment of approximately 266 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Surfside Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Surfside Academy is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Surfside Academy rank in CA?

Surfside Academy ranks #8,702 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Surfside Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Surfside Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Surfside Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Surfside Academy has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).

Is Surfside Academy a charter school?

No, Surfside Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Surfside Academy a Title I school?

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

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

71.1% of students at Surfside 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

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
266
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.1%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.0%
4-Year Graduation
64.5%

District

Oceanside Unified
District Enrollment
15,297
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,136
District Rank
#22 of 23

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