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Below Average

#8598 of 9,533 schools in CA

Surfside Academy

School · Oceanside Unified

1125 South Ditmar St., Oceanside, CA 92054

Enrollment

266

Student-Teacher

24.2:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Oceanside

#25 of 28

public schools

California schools

#431 of 475

In district

#20 of 23

Oceanside Unified

About Surfside Academy

Surfside Academy is an alternative school located in Oceanside, California, nestled within a large suburban area. The school serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade and currently has an enrollment of 266 students with a student-teacher ratio of 24.2:1. There are eleven full-time equivalent teachers at Surfside Academy, providing support to its diverse student body.

Academically, Surfside Academy is rated at the 8th percentile among California schools, reflecting areas where there's room for improvement in both ELA and math proficiency rates. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 2.9/10 indicates that while it may not excel in standardized tests, it likely focuses on student development and alternative learning methods suitable for its unique setting. Surfside Academy is a community-focused institution within the suburban charm of Oceanside, providing educational opportunities tailored to students seeking an alternative approach to traditional schooling.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Surfside Academy is 24.2:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.4Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4.8 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.8%
Math vs. State Avg-20.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.1 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,046

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 19.6%
School
State
33.0%
ELA Proficiency 36.9%
School
State
49.1%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
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
4.3/10
10th percentile in CA
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
1.4/10
Below average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Carlsbad), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oceanside Unified School District Adult Transition Program (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 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 6.0
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 4.2
Oceanside High Oceanside 0.9 mi 6.2
Palmquist Elementary Oceanside 1.0 mi 5.5
Lincoln Middle Oceanside 1.0 mi 5.2
OCEANSIDE ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Oceanside 1.2 mi 4.9
Oceanside Adventist Elementary Oceanside 1.2 mi
Mission Elementary Oceanside 1.5 mi 4.7
Laurel Elementary Oceanside 1.6 mi 5.9
Oceanside Unified School District Adult Transition Program Oceanside 1.7 mi 7.3
Jefferson Middle Oceanside 1.7 mi 5.8
ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY Carlsbad 1.7 mi 8.5
Army and Navy Academy Carlsbad 1.7 mi
Buena Vista Elementary Carlsbad 1.8 mi 8.2
Coastal Sage Montessori Carlsbad 1.9 mi
North Terrace Elementary Oceanside 2.3 mi 4.8
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Surfside Academy has a median household income of $76,974. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $851,100, with a median rent of $1,847/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
High Desert Premier Academy Apple Valley, CA 4.3
Motivated Youth Academy Escondido, CA 4.3
21st Century Learning Institute Beaumont, CA 4.2
Kerman Unified Online Kerman, CA 4.2
Long Valley Doyle, CA 4.4
California Pacific Charter - San Diego Costa Mesa, CA 4.5

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 is ranked #8598 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Surfside Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Surfside Academy has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Surfside Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Surfside Academy has 19.6% math proficiency and 36.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (2,144/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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