Photo: pelle68 · CC BY-SA 3.0Costa Mesa’s public schools outscore 81% of California districts
On the state math tests, 46% of Costa Mesa’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Costa Mesa, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Costa Mesa’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 528 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Costa Mesa’s, its schools beat 87%, higher than their 81% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 46% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Huntington Beach Union High spends $18,463 per student and Newport-Mesa Unified $25,216, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
International School for Science and Culture, Mariners Christian School (private), St. John the Baptist Catholic School (private), The Waldorf School of Orange County (private), St. Joachim Elementary School (private), Frontiers Academy (private), Renascence School International (private), Pacific Academy (private), Page Academy (private), Montessori Christian School (private), Christian Montessori School-Costa Mesa (private) and International Christian Montessori Academy (private) are in town. California Pacific Charter - San Diego and California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Costa Mesa’s grade
A−: better than 81% of California school districts, #156 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Costa Mesa, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Costa Mesa · depends on your address
Costa Mesa High
Grades 7–12 · 1,730 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle
Grades 7–8 · 501 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Costa Mesa · depends on your address
Costa Mesa High
Grades 7–12 · 1,730 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle
Grades 7–8 · 501 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Costa Mesa · depends on your address
Costa Mesa High
Grades 7–12 · 1,730 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Estancia High
Grades 9–12 · 976 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Costa Mesa · depends on your address
Costa Mesa High
Grades 7–12 · 1,730 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Estancia High
Grades 9–12 · 976 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Costa Mesa · depends on your address
Costa Mesa High
Grades 7–12 · 1,730 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Estancia High
Grades 9–12 · 976 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Costa Mesa · depends on your address
Costa Mesa High
Grades 7–12 · 1,730 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Estancia High
Grades 9–12 · 976 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Costa Mesa runs its own schools through grade 12 (Newport-Mesa Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Huntington Beach Union High School District, shared with Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Westminster. Parts of Costa Mesa (6% of its land) are served by Santa Ana Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Costa Mesa
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Costa Mesa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Costa Mesa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Mesa | A− | Newport-Mesa Unified K–12 · Huntington Beach Union High 9–12 |
| Newport Beach | A− | Newport-Mesa Unified |
| Santa Ana | C+ | Santa Ana Unified |
| Irvine | A | Irvine Unified |
| Huntington Beach | A | Huntington Beach City Elementary K–8 · Ocean View Elementary K–8 · Huntington Beach Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Costa Mesa
36 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Coastline ROP, Central Orange County CTE Partnership (CTEp) and Harper).
Questions about Costa Mesa’s schools
Are Costa Mesa’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Costa Mesa children attend outscore 81% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #156 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 87%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Costa Mesa in?
Two districts: Newport-Mesa Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Huntington Beach Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Westminster.
What is Costa Mesa’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Huntington Beach Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Costa Mesa spend per student?
$18,463 in Huntington Beach Union High School District and $25,216 in Newport-Mesa Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Costa Mesa?
Yes: Mariners Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 720 students), St. John the Baptist Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 505 students), The Waldorf School of Orange County (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 318 students), St. Joachim Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 244 students), Frontiers Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 122 students), Renascence School International (nonsectarian, grades K–11, 96 students), Pacific Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 92 students), Page Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 42 students), Montessori Christian School (religious, grades PK–5, 36 students), Christian Montessori School-Costa Mesa (religious, grades PK–5, 30 students) and International Christian Montessori Academy (religious, grades K–5, 28 students). Costa Mesa also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Costa Mesa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Costa Mesa → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.