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Average

#6045 of 9,539 schools in CA

Vista La Mesa Academy

Elementary School · Lemon Grove

3900 Violet St., La Mesa, CA 91941

Enrollment

531

Student-Teacher

24.1:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#6,045 of 9,539

In La Mesa

#14 of 27

public schools

In district

#3 of 8

Lemon Grove

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Vista La Mesa Academy

5.7/10

Elementary School in La Mesa · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Brookshire International Academy

4.3/10

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

Rolando Park Elementary

9.2/10

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

About Vista La Mesa Academy

Vista La Mesa Academy is a public elementary school in La Mesa, CA, part of Lemon Grove. Vista La Mesa Academy serves approximately 531 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Vista La Mesa Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #6,045 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Vista La Mesa Academy show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Vista La Mesa Academy runs 24.1:1 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.

42% of students at Vista La Mesa 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-12.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.4 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,115
Chronic Absenteeism42.4%

Vista La Mesa Academy — Students at Vista La Mesa Academy score 34% 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

71.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
36.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 40.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 38 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
48%
ELA
38%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
44%
2011
Math
51%
ELA
49%
2012
Math
53%
ELA
49%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
26%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
34%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
19.6%
ELA
31.6%
2024
Math
32.7%
ELA
34.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.1/10.

How Vista La Mesa Academy Compares

See how Vista La Mesa Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
37th percentile in CA
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

3900 Violet St., La Mesa, CA 91941

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vista La Mesa Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rolando Park Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Language Academy (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, La Mesa Dale Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
BROOKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Lemon Grove 0.5 mi 4.3
Rolando Park Elementary San Diego 0.5 mi 9.2
Helix High La Mesa 0.7 mi 7.9
San Miguel Elementary Lemon Grove 0.9 mi 4.4
Rolando Elementary La Mesa 1.0 mi 3.8
La Mesa Dale Elementary La Mesa 1.0 mi 6.9
La Mesa Arts Academy La Mesa 1.1 mi 8.6
Lemon Grove Academy Elementary Lemon Grove 1.1 mi 5.0
Clay Elementary San Diego 1.2 mi 4.9
Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences and Humanities Lemon Grove 1.2 mi 5.0
Darnall Charter San Diego 1.2 mi 4.2
Masons best San Diego 1.2 mi
NATIVITY PREP ACADEMY San Diego 1.3 mi 6.6
Harriet Tubman Village Charter San Diego 1.5 mi 5.4
St. John of the Cross School Lemon Grove 1.3 mi
An-Nur Learning Academy La Mesa 1.6 mi
San Altos Elementary Lemon Grove 1.7 mi 4.4
Language Academy San Diego 1.7 mi 7.8
Carver Elementary San Diego 1.5 mi 6.2
EXCELSIOR ACADEMY La Mesa 1.8 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo, CA 5.7
Alta Loma Elementary Los Angeles, CA 5.7
Alvarado Elementary Signal Hill, CA 5.7
Ayer Elementary Fresno, CA 5.7
Barbara Comstock Morse Elementary Sacramento, CA 5.7
Bell Avenue Elementary Sacramento, CA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vista La Mesa Academy

What grades does Vista La Mesa Academy serve?

Vista La Mesa Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Vista La Mesa Academy?

Vista La Mesa Academy has an enrollment of approximately 531 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista La Mesa Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Vista La Mesa Academy is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vista La Mesa Academy rank in CA?

Vista La Mesa Academy ranks #6,045 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Vista La Mesa Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Vista La Mesa Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Vista La Mesa Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Vista La Mesa Academy has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Vista La Mesa Academy a charter school?

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

Is Vista La Mesa Academy a Title I school?

No, Vista La Mesa Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vista La Mesa Academy?

71.4% of students at Vista La Mesa 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
57 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.4%

How we rate schools

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