Photo: Stickpen · Public domainLa Mesa’s public schools outscore 64% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving La 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 93% 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.
La Mesa’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 588 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of La Mesa’s, its schools beat 69%, higher than their 64% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 33% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Grossmont Union High spends $20,908 per student and La Mesa-Spring Valley $18,879, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
JCS - Manzanita, Helix High, Sparrow Academy, The Learning Choice Academy - East County, Brookshire International Academy (private), Christ Lutheran Elementary (private), St. Martin of Tours Academy (private), Mt. Helix Academy - Tiee (private), Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School (private) and Taproot Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten (private) are in town. 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 La Mesa’s grade
B: better than 64% of California school districts, #314 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve La Mesa, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in La Mesa · depends on your address
La Mesa Arts Academy
Grades 5–8 · 1,059 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy
Grades 6–8 · 897 students · 18:1 students per teacher
7th grade in La Mesa · depends on your address
La Mesa Arts Academy
Grades 5–8 · 1,059 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy
Grades 6–8 · 897 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in La Mesa · depends on your address
La Mesa Arts Academy
Grades 5–8 · 1,059 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy
Grades 6–8 · 897 students · 18:1 students per teacher
La Mesa runs its own schools through grade 8 (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District). From grade 9, students attend the Grossmont Union High School District, shared with El Cajon, Lemon Grove and Santee. Its high school is in El Cajon. Parts of La Mesa (9% of its land) are served by Lemon Grove Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve La Mesa
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
La Mesa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share La Mesa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| La Mesa | B | La Mesa-Spring Valley K–8 · Grossmont Union High 9–12 |
| San Diego | B+ | San Diego City Unified K–12 · Sweetwater Union High 7–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
| El Cajon | C+ | Cajon Valley Union Elementary K–8 · Grossmont Union High 9–12 |
| Lemon Grove | B− | Lemon Grove Elementary K–8 · Grossmont Union High 9–12 |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Grossmont Union High with La Mesa for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in La Mesa
28 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).
Questions about La Mesa’s schools
Are La Mesa’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools La Mesa children attend outscore 64% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #314 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 69%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is La Mesa in?
Two districts: La Mesa-Spring Valley School District runs grades K–8, and Grossmont Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with El Cajon, Lemon Grove and Santee.
Where do La Mesa kids go to high school?
One of 9 high schools, depending on your address: Granite Hills High, Grossmont High, El Capitan High, Valhalla High, El Cajon Valley High, West Hills High, Santana High, Monte Vista High and Mount Miguel High.
What is La Mesa’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Grossmont Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does La Mesa spend per student?
$20,908 in Grossmont Union High School District and $18,879 in La Mesa-Spring Valley School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in La Mesa?
Yes: Brookshire International Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 1,035 students), Christ Lutheran Elementary (religious, grades K–8, 213 students), St. Martin of Tours Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 211 students), Mt. Helix Academy - Tiee (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 202 students), Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 49 students) and Taproot Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 34 students). La Mesa also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What La Mesa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near La 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.