For the 2026 school year, there are 27 public schools serving 15,419 students in La Mesa, CA (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,150 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in La Mesa, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in La Mesa, CA are Helix High School, La Mesa Arts Academy and Fletcher Hills Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
La Mesa, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in La Mesa have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in La Mesa, CA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Helix High School
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7323 University Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 644-1940
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 644-1940
Gr: 9-12 | 2,554 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #22.
La Mesa Arts Academy
(Math: 52% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4200 Parks Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5730
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5730
Gr: 5-8 | 1,059 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #33.
Fletcher Hills Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2330 Center Pl.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5820
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5820
Gr: K-5 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #44.
Lemon Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8787 Lemon Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5835
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5835
Gr: K-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #55.
Murray Manor Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8305 El Paso St.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5865
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5865
Gr: K-5 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #66.
Murdock Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4354 Conrad Dr.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5775
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5775
Gr: K-5 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #77.
Merit Academy
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1600 North Cuyamaca St.
La Mesa, CA 91944
(619) 956-0600
La Mesa, CA 91944
(619) 956-0600
Gr: 9-12 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #88.
Reach Academy
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
230 Jamacha Rd.
La Mesa, CA 91944
(619) 588-3580
La Mesa, CA 91944
(619) 588-3580
Gr: 9-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #99.
Jcs - Manzanita
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5300 Jackson Dr.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 303-4344
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 303-4344
Gr: K-12 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1010.
Maryland Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5400 Maryland Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5744
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5744
Gr: K-5 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1111.
Sparrow Academy
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5150 Wilson St.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 439-6327
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 439-6327
Gr: K-5 | 156 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1212.
Parkway Sports And Health Science Academy
(Math: 30% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9009 Park Plaza Dr.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5810
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5810
Gr: 6-8 | 897 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1313.
Grossmont High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1100 Murray Dr.
La Mesa, CA 91944
(619) 668-6000
La Mesa, CA 91944
(619) 668-6000
Gr: 9-12 | 2,172 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1414.
Northmont Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9405 Gregory St.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5830
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5830
Gr: K-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1515.
Avocado Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3845 Avocado School Rd.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 588-3100
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 588-3100
Gr: K-5 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1616.
Learning Choice Academy - Chula Vista
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
881 Kuhn Dr., Ste. 106
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 463-6801
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 463-6801
Gr: K-12 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1717.
Rolando Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6925 Tower St.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5800
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5800
Gr: K-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1818.
La Mesa Dale Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4251 Olive Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5740
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5740
Gr: K-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1919.
Casa De Oro Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
10227 Ramona Dr.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5715
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5715
Gr: K-5 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2020.
Sweetwater Springs Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
10129 Austin Dr.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5895
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5895
Gr: K-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2121.
Avondale Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
8401 Stansbury St.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5880
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5880
Gr: K-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2222.
Rancho Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
8845 Noeline Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5885
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5885
Gr: K-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #2323.
Loma Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
10355 Loma Ln.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5862
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 668-5862
Gr: K-5 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2424.
Vista La Mesa Academy
(Math: 29% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3900 Violet St.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 825-5645
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 825-5645
Gr: K-8 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #2525.
Highlands Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3131 South Barcelona St.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5780
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5780
Gr: K-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2626.
Kempton Street Literacy Academy
(Math: 10% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
740 Kempton St.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5870
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5870
Gr: K-5 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2727.
Bancroft Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
8805 Tyler St.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5890
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5890
Gr: K-8 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in La Mesa, CA?
The top-ranked public schools in La Mesa, CA include Helix High School, La Mesa Arts Academy and Fletcher Hills Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in La Mesa?
27 public schools are located in La Mesa.
What percentage of students in La Mesa go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in La Mesa are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in La Mesa?
La Mesa public schools minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in La Mesa are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in La Mesa include: Lemon Avenue Elementary School vs. Murdock Elementary School, Murdock Elementary School vs. Lemon Avenue Elementary School, Northmont Elementary School vs. Fletcher Hills Elementary School
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