Average
#6064 of 9,533 schools in CA
Whittier Elementary
Elementary School · Newport-Mesa Unified
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Costa Mesa
#33 of 38
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,634 of 5,817
In district
#27 of 31
Newport-Mesa Unified
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Whittier Elementary
Whittier Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Costa Mesa, California. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 457 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.9 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking as #7176 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it around the 25th percentile.
Academically, Whittier Elementary has an overall score of 3.4/10, with 29% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 23% proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is committed to supporting its diverse student body through targeted educational initiatives. Whittier Elementary sits in a mid-size city setting, providing a community-focused environment that encourages engagement between families and educators.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Whittier Elementary — Students at Whittier Elementary score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.5/10.
How Whittier Elementary Compares
See how Whittier Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 22.38% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 26.67% (2024).
Location
2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whittier Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Victoria Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Everett A. Rea Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Newport Heights Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Costa Mesa, see our Costa Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Carden Hall, Inc Newport Beach | 0.7 mi | — |
| CARDEN HALL Newport Beach | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Victoria Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Pacifica Christian High School-Orange County Newport Beach | 0.9 mi | — |
| Pomona Elementary Costa Mesa | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Wilson Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Everett A. Rea Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF ORANGE COUNTY Costa Mesa | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Waldorf School of Orange County Costa Mesa | 1.3 mi | — |
| Page Private-Costa Mesa Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | — |
| PAGE ACADEMY Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Estancia High Costa Mesa | 1.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Newport Heights Elementary Costa Mesa | 1.5 mi | 8.6 |
| John H. Eader Elementary Huntington Beach | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Edison High Huntington Beach | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Horace Ensign Intermediate Costa Mesa | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| International School for Science and Culture Costa Mesa | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Newport Harbor High Costa Mesa | 2.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Ralph E. Hawes Elementary Huntington Beach | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92626 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,627
Median Home Value
$1,037,700
Median Rent
$2,520/mo
Population
50,569
College Educated
46.3%
Homeownership
42%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whittier Elementary has a median household income of $117,627. 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 $1,037,700, with a median rent of $2,520/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Colton, CA | 5.8 |
| Alisal Elementary Pleasanton, CA | 5.8 |
| Alpine Elementary Littlerock, CA | 5.8 |
| Antelope Creek Elementary Rocklin, CA | 5.8 |
| BAIS CHAYA MUSHKA Los Angeles, CA | 5.8 |
| Belshaw Elementary Antioch, CA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whittier Elementary
What grades does Whittier Elementary serve?
Whittier Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Whittier Elementary?
Whittier Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 457 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whittier Elementary rank in CA?
Whittier Elementary is ranked #6064 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Whittier Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Whittier Elementary has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Whittier Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittier Elementary has 23.4% math proficiency and 28.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whittier Elementary a charter school?
No, Whittier Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whittier Elementary a Title I school?
No, Whittier Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whittier Elementary?
91.5% of students at Whittier Elementary 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 (3,601/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Costa Mesa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 457
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 515-6990
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport-Mesa Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,768
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,064
- District Rank
- #27 of 31
Other Schools in This District
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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