Average
#5532 of 9,533 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
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Mesa
#11 of 27
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,334 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 8
Lemon Grove
About Vista La Mesa Academy
Vista La Mesa Academy is a regular public elementary school located in the suburban community of La Mesa, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, Vista La Mesa has an enrollment of 531 students and employs 22 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 24.1:1. The school’s setting is in a large suburban area that offers a variety of amenities and activities for families.
Vista La Mesa Academy's academic performance reflects areas where the school can focus on further growth. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10, the school ranks at #5093 among California’s 9,566 schools, placing it in the 47th percentile statewide. In terms of proficiency rates, 35% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 33% demonstrate proficiency or better in Math.
Vista La Mesa Academy is situated in a community that supports families with diverse needs and opportunities for growth.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Vista La Mesa Academy is 24.1:1, 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Vista La Mesa Academy — Students at Vista La Mesa Academy score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.
How Vista La Mesa Academy Compares
See how Vista La Mesa Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32.94% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 34.42% (2024).
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. Language Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is San Altos Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Lemon Grove), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rolando Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.1 |
| Helix High La Mesa | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| San Miguel Elementary Lemon Grove | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Rolando Elementary La Mesa | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| La Mesa Dale Elementary La Mesa | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| La Mesa Arts Academy La Mesa | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Lemon Grove Academy Elementary Lemon Grove | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Clay Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences and Humanities Lemon Grove | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Darnall Charter San Diego | 1.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Masons best San Diego | 1.2 mi | — |
| NATIVITY PREP ACADEMY San Diego | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Harriet Tubman Village Charter San Diego | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| Language Academy San Diego | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Carver Elementary San Diego | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vista La Mesa Academy has a median household income of $111,607. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $884,800, with a median rent of $2,067/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 6.0 |
| Almond Grove Elementary Oakley, CA | 6.0 |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary Alameda, CA | 6.0 |
| Amesti Elementary Watsonville, CA | 6.0 |
| Arroyo West Elementary Moorpark, CA | 6.0 |
| Balboa Elementary San Diego, CA | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #5532 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Vista La Mesa Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Vista La Mesa Academy has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Vista La Mesa Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista La Mesa Academy has 32.6% math proficiency and 35.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,806/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Mesa). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (619) 825-5645
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lemon Grove- District Enrollment
- 3,122
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,115
- District Rank
- #4 of 8
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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