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Average

#4554 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 48% in state

Wilson Elementary

Elementary School · Newport-Mesa Unified

2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Enrollment

354

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,554 of 9,539

In Costa Mesa

#32 of 39

public schools

In district

#29 of 31

Newport-Mesa Unified

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Wilson Elementary

6.5/10

Elementary School in Costa Mesa · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Christ Lutheran School

6.0/10

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

Estancia High

8.0/10

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

About Wilson Elementary

Wilson Elementary is a public elementary school in Costa Mesa, CA, part of Newport-Mesa Unified. Wilson Elementary serves approximately 354 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Wilson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #4,554 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Wilson Elementary show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 8.2
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Wilson Elementary runs 20.8:1 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.

33% of students at Wilson Elementary 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 Data14
Annual Change-1.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-26 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Overall Proficiency25% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,064
Chronic Absenteeism33.1%

Wilson Elementary — Students at Wilson Elementary score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 33.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 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
40%
ELA
39%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
38%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
41%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
27%
2021*
Math
27%
2022
Math
21.3%
ELA
29.7%
2024
Math
19.9%
ELA
30.5%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Wilson Elementary Compares

See how Wilson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in CA
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

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

2985 Bear St. Bldg. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wilson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Adams Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Everett A. Rea Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ralph E. Hawes Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Huntington Beach), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Costa Mesa, see our Costa Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Costa Mesa 0.2 mi 6.0
Estancia High Costa Mesa 0.2 mi 8.0
Pomona Elementary Costa Mesa 0.5 mi 7.7
Waldorf School of Orange County Costa Mesa 0.5 mi
THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF ORANGE COUNTY Costa Mesa 0.5 mi 6.8
Page Private-Costa Mesa Costa Mesa 0.5 mi
PAGE ACADEMY Costa Mesa 0.5 mi 7.8
Everett A. Rea Elementary Costa Mesa 0.5 mi 8.7
Victoria Elementary Costa Mesa 0.6 mi 7.2
Whittier Elementary Costa Mesa 1.1 mi 6.8
Adams Elementary Costa Mesa 1.3 mi 8.9
College Park Elementary Costa Mesa 1.3 mi 8.0
RENASCENCE SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL Costa Mesa 1.7 mi 8.6
Carden Hall, Inc Newport Beach 1.7 mi
CARDEN HALL Newport Beach 1.7 mi 7.3
Early College High Costa Mesa 1.7 mi 9.5
THE PEGASUS SCHOOL Huntington Beach 1.7 mi 7.3
Pacifica Christian High School-Orange County Newport Beach 1.9 mi
Montessori Harbor Mesa Elementary Costa Mesa 1.9 mi
Ralph E. Hawes Elementary Huntington Beach 1.8 mi 8.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Academia Moderna Walnut Park, CA 6.5
Allison Elementary Pomona, CA 6.5
BASIS INDEPENDENT FREMONT UPPER SCHOOL Fremont, CA 6.5
Beethoven Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA 6.5
Bel Aire Park Elementary Napa, CA 6.5
Blanche Charles Elementary Calexico, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wilson Elementary

What grades does Wilson Elementary serve?

Wilson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Wilson Elementary?

Wilson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 354 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Wilson Elementary is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wilson Elementary rank in CA?

Wilson Elementary ranks #4,554 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Wilson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Wilson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wilson Elementary has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Wilson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Wilson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Wilson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wilson Elementary?

93.8% of students at Wilson 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
80 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
354
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

District

Newport-Mesa Unified
District Enrollment
17,768
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,064
District Rank
#29 of 31

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