For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public middle schools serving 8,135 students in Costa Mesa, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Costa Mesa, CA are Corona Del Mar High School, Horace Ensign Intermediate and International School For Science And Culture. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Costa Mesa, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Costa Mesa have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Corona Del Mar High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2101 Eastbluff Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 515-6000
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 515-6000
Gr: 7-12 | 2,106 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
Horace Ensign Intermediate
(Math: 56% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2000 Cliff Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 515-6910
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 515-6910
Gr: 7-8 | 875 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #33.
International School For Science And Culture
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1770 Tustin Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 441-4500
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 441-4500
Gr: K-8 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #44.
Monte Vista Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1003 Presidio Sq.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 515-6690
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 515-6690
Gr: 7-12 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #55.
California Pacific Charter - Sonoma
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
14630 Armstrong Woods Rd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Gr: K-12 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #66.
Costa Mesa High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2650 Fairview Rd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 424-8700
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 424-8700
Gr: 7-12 | 1,730 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #77.
California Pacific Charter - San Diego
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
940 South Coast Dr., Ste. 185
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Gr: K-12 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #88.
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3224 California Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 424-7965
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 424-7965
Gr: 7-8 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #99.
California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
940 South Coast Dr. #185
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Gr: K-12 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1010.
Access Juvenile Hall
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
200 Kalmus Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92628
(714) 935-7651
Costa Mesa, CA 92628
(714) 935-7651
Gr: K-12 | 186 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1111.
Access County Community
Alternative School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
200 Kalmus Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92628
(714) 245-6404
Costa Mesa, CA 92628
(714) 245-6404
Gr: K-12 | 1,315 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1212.
Orange County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
200 Kalmus Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92628
(714) 966-4129
Costa Mesa, CA 92628
(714) 966-4129
Gr: K-12 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Costa Mesa, CA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Costa Mesa, CA include Corona Del Mar High School, Horace Ensign Intermediate and International School For Science And Culture.
How many public middle schools are located in Costa Mesa?
12 public middle schools are located in Costa Mesa.
What is the racial composition of students in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa public middle schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Costa Mesa are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Costa Mesa include: Horace Ensign Intermediate vs. Costa Mesa High School, Charles W. Tewinkle Middle School vs. Horace Ensign Intermediate, Horace Ensign Intermediate vs. Charles W. Tewinkle Middle School
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