Serving 689 students in grades Kindergarten-8, La Mesa ranks in the top 20% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 49% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 65-69% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 24:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: Kindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 689 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1
- Minority Enrollment: 56%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in CA
- Math Proficiency: 49% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 65-69% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 50-59% (Top 20%)
- Attendance Zone: La Mesa Elementary serves the southwest part of Monterey, CA, encompassing an attendance area of approximately 1.3 square miles. Families within the zone can typically reach the school within 5 to 10 minutes, with the furthest edge being about 1.3 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
La Mesa ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
La Mesa's student population of 689 students has grown by 103% over five school years.
The teacher population of 29 teachers has grown by 45% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
Total Students
689 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
29 teachers
Showing 2014–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
School Calendar
Campus Size
14 acres
School Motto
Knowledge is Power
School Rankings
La Mesa ranks within the top 20% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of La Mesa is 0.70, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1786 out of 9523 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
34%
Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
65-69%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
21:1
Showing 2014–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
11%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
29%
56%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
4%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
44%
20%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
11%
6%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)19.7%
27.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
41%
54%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
8%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Red and Blue
School Mascot
Sharks
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is La Mesa's ranking?
La Mesa is ranked #1786 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in California.
What schools are La Mesa often compared to?
La Mesais often viewed alongside schools like International School Of Monterey, Robert Down Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
49% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 65-69% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
How many students attend La Mesa?
689 students attend La Mesa.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
44% of La Mesa students are White, 29% of students are Hispanic, 11% of students are Asian, 11% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of La Mesa?
La Mesa has a student ration of 24:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does La Mesa offer ?
La Mesa offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-8
What school district is La Mesa part of?
La Mesa is part of Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.
In what neighborhood is La Mesa located?
La Mesa is located in the La Mesa Village neighborhood of Monterey, CA.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
This school is a joke. They claim that they are first in learning and this is proven by the testing, but they push the children to earn those high test scores. They always want to hold the military children back because they are not"caught up", but do not keep into consideration that standards are different everywhere. The teachers are unprofessional, rude, and mean to the children. One teacher hit my daughter in the head and when I approached the principal, all he did was tell me to handle the situation with the teacher. The school is always asking for money, but not effectively teaching the children. The only reason why the school has such a high academic rating is because one or both of the parents have degree and can teach where the teacher lacks. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN HERE!
2 10/10/2025
This school has some serious issues. Many classes have 34 students with just one teacher and no aides. The school has very limited support for special education needs. The principal considers behavioral issues like PDD or autism to be discipline issues and wants to the parents to take care of them at home instead of providing care mandated in the IEP. Many parents are pulling their kids and placing them in the local private schools or homeschooling. A teacher also threatened to stab his students through the heart with a pencil if they did not do their homework (2d graders). Go somewhere else where your kids will be safer.
Review La Mesa. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
