La Mesa

Summary:

La Mesa is an elementary school located in Monterey, California, serving grades K-8 with a total enrollment of 564 students. It is part of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, which is ranked 917 out of 1,568 districts in California and has a 2-star rating out of 5 from SchoolDigger.

La Mesa consistently outperforms the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and the state of California in academic assessments, with 58.36% of students proficient or better in Smarter Balanced Assessments/English Language Arts/Literacy for End of Course, compared to 38.89% for the district and 47.04% for the state. The school's performance is particularly strong for certain student groups, such as White students and Military Connected students, ranking 471 out of 2,647 California elementary schools for White students and 5 out of 118 California elementary schools for Military Connected students. While La Mesa has experienced an increase in chronic absenteeism, reaching 20.1% in the 2022-2023 school year, it still performs better than the district average of nearby schools like Ord Terrace Elementary and Martin Luther King.

When compared to other schools in the region, La Mesa's performance is strong within its own district, but it faces more competition from top-performing schools in the broader Monterey area, such as Forest Grove Elementary, Carmel River Elementary, and Robert Down Elementary, which consistently outperform La Mesa across various academic measures and student group performance.


Detail:

Public K-8

 1 La Mesa Way
       Monterey, CA  93940-4894


(831) 649-1872

District: Monterey Peninsula Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
1140th of 5,862 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $5,700 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  21.0 Help
Number of students:  564

Racial breakdown:

White:
49.1%
Hispanic:
29.3%
Asian:
11.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  28% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details La Mesa ranks better than 80.6% of elementary schools in California. It also ranks first among 10 ranked elementary schools in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 80.2. (See more...)
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Compare Details La Mesa ranks better than 74.1% of middle schools in California. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 68.02. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (49.1%), Hispanic (29.3%), Asian (11.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 28% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at La Mesa is 21. 6 elementary schools in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare La Mesa employs 26.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at La Mesa is $5,700, which is the 5th highest among 10 elementary schools in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

La Mesa:

SchoolDigger ranks La Mesa 1140th of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See La Mesa in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Military Connected students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks La Mesa 719th of 2777 California public middle schools. (See La Mesa in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Military Connected students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Monterey Peninsula Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Monterey Peninsula Unified 917th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for La Mesa

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Rank History for all elementary school students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 77.20 1024th 4809 78.7%
2005 81.20 879th 4822 81.8%
2006 87.18 635th 4818 86.8%
2007 88.68 580th 5113 88.7%
2008 92.66 337th 5113 93.4%
2009 84.58 772nd 5193 85.1%
2010 80.25 1001st 5314 81.2%
2011 78.64 1075th 5377 80.0%
2012 64.84 1793rd 5390 66.7%
2013 65.10 1824th 5530 67.0%
2015 82.70 1000th 5611 82.2%
2016 73.47 1372nd 5614 75.6%
2017 74.38 1366th 5692 76.0%
2018 78.96 1186th 5662 79.1%
2019 82.80 1023rd 5789 82.3%
2022 78.59 1255th 5883 78.7%
2023 73.77 1435th 5874 75.6%
2024 80.20 1140th 5862 80.6%
See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school English Language Learner students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 81.78 274th 3311 91.7%
2023 64.13 646th 3250 80.1%
2024 49.51 1204th 3160 61.9%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 51.12 882nd 2420 63.6%
2024 57.11 787th 2634 70.1%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 65.56 1431st 5173 72.3%
2022 76.49 893rd 5264 83.0%
2023 56.47 1960th 5374 63.5%
2024 61.68 1693rd 5511 69.3%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.78 1054th 5413 80.5%
2019 87.05 716th 5492 87.0%
2022 75.83 1290th 5635 77.1%
2023 72.67 1391st 5617 75.2%
2024 71.80 1413th 5605 74.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Military Connected students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 92.80 5th 118 95.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.02 1269th 5431 76.6%
2019 74.79 1306th 5510 76.3%
2022 77.29 1226th 5663 78.4%
2023 71.75 1424th 5650 74.8%
2024 84.07 915th 5636 83.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 36.82 3090th 4830 36.0%
2019 62.51 1552nd 4963 68.7%
2022 72.21 1056th 5084 79.2%
2023 52.76 2071st 5098 59.4%
2024 47.51 2434th 5102 52.3%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.67 840th 2737 69.3%
2019 72.41 722nd 2834 74.5%
2022 67.46 894th 2726 67.2%
2023 69.42 816th 2662 69.3%
2024 78.73 471st 2647 82.2%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for La Mesa

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Rank History for all middle school students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 64.43 784th 2802 72.0%
2024 68.02 719th 2777 74.1%
See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school English Language Learner students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 54.76 351st 1477 76.2%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 66.69 601st 2549 76.4%
2024 48.10 1101st 2575 57.2%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 58.00 868th 2547 65.9%
2024 64.82 726th 2546 71.5%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Military Connected students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 84.53 22nd 191 88.5%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 67.34 668th 2558 73.9%
2024 67.26 682nd 2547 73.2%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 40.58 1259th 2391 47.3%
2024 41.38 1263rd 2383 47.0%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at La Mesa

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 57.53 625th 1552 59.7%
2024 72.69 376th 1535 75.5%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

La Mesa Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
33%

0%

0%

67%

0%

  

by a parent
Saturday, July 23, 2016

Open Quote This school is a mixed bag. Previous comments are on point about the military kids holding this schools academic ratings so high. If not for it being directly placed in the middle of officer housing, and primarily filled with the kids of higher educated parents, the scores of this school would be the same as the surrounding area. Unfortunately, that means the kids attending will have education outcomes below what they are use to. This is frustrating for the parents. I DO NOT fault the teachers, it is the the district. That being said, when you meet the office staff and get a bad feeling about the school, listen to your instinct. There are lots of charter school alternatives. I recommend looking at Big Sur Charter in Monterey. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, September 5, 2011

Open Quote I have a child that has been a student at La Mesa for the past 3 years. I have other children that have attended other elementary schools on the peninsula. The sterling reputation that La Mesa enjoys in the community is no longer deserved. Perhaps La Mesa earned this reputation many years ago, but other schools in the area actually perform to a much higher standard.

The most upsetting factor at La Mesa is the unprofessional and simply rude 'ladies' that 'work' in the front office. They treat the children and the parents as unwelcome interruptions of these 'ladies' gossip sessions. They will speak loudly to each other about subjects that should be carefully guarded with confidentiality, with their backs turned to the entrance. I have seen visitors stand at the entrance for 2 minutes waiting for assistance while these 'ladies' finished their gossip section. Terrible. Close Quote



Enrollment information for La Mesa

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 574 34 45 28 0 n/a n/a 0 681
1989 546 49 41 37 2 n/a n/a 0 675
1990 550 50 43 35 0 n/a n/a 0 678
1991 529 46 55 37 1 n/a n/a 0 668
1992 541 55 44 25 1 n/a n/a 0 666
1993 524 62 32 23 1 n/a n/a 0 642
1994 480 52 55 32 2 n/a n/a 0 621
1995 359 33 49 66 3 n/a n/a 0 510
1996 359 33 49 66 3 n/a n/a 0 510
1997 382 35 55 72 5 n/a n/a 0 549
1998 399 48 45 61 7 n/a n/a 0 560
1999 351 43 49 46 2 n/a n/a 0 491
2000 325 49 55 44 1 n/a n/a 0 474
2001 322 30 49 47 3 n/a n/a 0 451
2002 311 40 67 114 4 n/a n/a 4 540
2003 311 40 67 114 4 n/a n/a 4 540
2004 285 41 92 127 6 n/a n/a 0 551
2005 310 44 84 117 6 n/a n/a 4 565
2006 328 33 76 83 4 n/a n/a 34 558
2007 326 33 62 73 1 n/a n/a 41 536
2008 321 24 43 50 4 n/a n/a 0 442
2009 342 44 66 72 4 5 34 0 567
2010 348 37 71 72 3 5 11 0 547
2011 265 32 63 67 2 7 20 0 456
2012 217 16 69 67 1 1 21 0 392
2013 236 27 67 67 1 1 23 0 422
2014 257 20 49 79 0 0 23 0 428
2015 227 20 70 80 0 1 23 0 421
2016 227 27 90 84 0 1 24 0 453
2017 265 24 79 73 0 1 32 0 474
2018 233 27 74 73 0 2 38 0 447
2019 232 18 52 95 0 4 30 0 431
2020 241 22 62 94 1 4 13 0 437
2021 172 15 42 82 1 5 22 0 339
2022 237 20 46 117 3 4 23 0 450
2023 277 18 63 165 4 6 30 1 564

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at La Mesa

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 681 29.5 23.0 n/a
1989 675 31.5 21.4 n/a
1990 678 29.4 23.0 n/a
1991 668 32.4 20.6 n/a
1992 666 32.9 20.2 5.3
1993 642 31.5 20.4 3.7
1994 621 33.0 18.8 7.7
1995 510 24.0 21.3 11
1996 510 24.0 21.3 11
1997 549 27.5 20.0 11.8
1998 560 32.0 17.5 11.4
1999 491 28.0 17.5 8.4
2000 474 28.0 16.9 8
2001 451 23.5 19.2 8.9
2002 540 26.0 20.8 18.8
2003 540 26.0 20.8 18.8
2004 551 27.5 20.0 24.5
2005 565 27.5 20.5 22.5
2006 558 26.5 21.1 20.4
2007 536 24.0 22.3 16.2
2008 442 25.0 17.7 12.4
2009 567 25.0 21.8 12.9
2010 547 20.0 27.3 13
2011 456 n/a n/a 16.9
2012 392 17.0 23.0 n/a
2013 422 20.0 21.1 20.4
2014 428 19.0 22.5 18.2
2015 421 21.0 20.0 18.8
2016 453 22.0 20.5 19
2017 474 22.5 21.0 19.2
2018 447 20.5 21.8 13.4
2019 431 23.0 18.7 15.5
2020 437 n/a n/a 15.8
2021 339 20.0 16.9 17.1
2022 450 20.2 22.1 22.2
2023 564 26.7 21.0 28

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio La Mesa

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 681 29.5 23.0 n/a
1989 675 31.5 21.4 n/a
1990 678 29.4 23.0 n/a
1991 668 32.4 20.6 n/a
1992 666 32.9 20.2 5.3
1993 642 31.5 20.4 3.7
1994 621 33.0 18.8 7.7
1995 510 24.0 21.3 11
1996 510 24.0 21.3 11
1997 549 27.5 20.0 11.8
1998 560 32.0 17.5 11.4
1999 491 28.0 17.5 8.4
2000 474 28.0 16.9 8
2001 451 23.5 19.2 8.9
2002 540 26.0 20.8 18.8
2003 540 26.0 20.8 18.8
2004 551 27.5 20.0 24.5
2005 565 27.5 20.5 22.5
2006 558 26.5 21.1 20.4
2007 536 24.0 22.3 16.2
2008 442 25.0 17.7 12.4
2009 567 25.0 21.8 12.9
2010 547 20.0 27.3 13
2011 456 n/a n/a 16.9
2012 392 17.0 23.0 n/a
2013 422 20.0 21.1 20.4
2014 428 19.0 22.5 18.2
2015 421 21.0 20.0 18.8
2016 453 22.0 20.5 19
2017 474 22.5 21.0 19.2
2018 447 20.5 21.8 13.4
2019 431 23.0 18.7 15.5
2020 437 n/a n/a 15.8
2021 339 20.0 16.9 17.1
2022 450 20.2 22.1 22.2
2023 564 26.7 21.0 28

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Immunization Rates

La Mesa

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YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPolioHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMMR
2012100.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
201395.0%3.0%0.0%2.0%97.0%97.0%97.0%97.0%95.0%
2014100.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
2015100.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
201698.0%1.0%0.0%1.0%98.0%98.0%98.0%98.0%98.0%
2017≥99.0%≤1.0%≤1.0%≤1.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%
201898.0%0.0%0.0%2.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%98.0%≥99.0%
2019≥99.0%≤1.0%≤1.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%
202098.4%0.0%0.0%98.4%
202298.3%0.0%0.0%

Data source: California Department of Public Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for La Mesa

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $5,700

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on La Mesa

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1023rd of 5789 Elementary schoolsRanks 1435th of 5874 Elementary schools
 6.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (La Mesa)61.759.7
 2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Monterey Peninsula Unified)33.834.8
 1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.543
 5.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (La Mesa)66.766.1
 0.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Monterey Peninsula Unified)38.835
 3.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (California)50.245.1
 5.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (La Mesa)58.343.3
 15%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Monterey Peninsula Unified)36.532.8
 3.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.543.7
 5.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (La Mesa)60.450
 10.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Monterey Peninsula Unified)32.227.8
 4.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (California)44.940.8
 4.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (La Mesa)7666.1
 9.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Monterey Peninsula Unified)45.637.4
 8.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.746.7
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (La Mesa)66.748.3
 18.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Monterey Peninsula Unified)29.720.6
 9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (California)3833.4
 4.6%
5th Grade Science (La Mesa)62.848.3
 14.4%
   5th Grade Science (Monterey Peninsula Unified)24.722.3
 2.5%
   5th Grade Science (California)31.731.9
 0.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students431564
 30.9%
African American1818
American Indian04
Asian5263
 21.2%
Hispanic95165
 73.7%
Pacific Islander46
 50%
White232277
 19.4%
Two or More Races3030
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients15.5%28%
 12.5%


Schools Near La Mesa









Frequently Asked Questions about La Mesa

La Mesa ranks 1140th of 5862 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students who attend La Mesa usually go on to attend:

High : Monterey High

Students at La Mesa are 49% White, 29% Hispanic, 11% Asian, 5% Two or more races, 3% African American, 1% Pacific Islander.

In the 2022-23 school year, 564 students attended La Mesa.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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