La Mesa Elementary School in Monterey

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	8/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education.
Student Growth	6/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from California Department of Education.

Posted: August 6, 2026

The leadership was one of the biggest problems, the principal was rude, dismissive & rarely took accountability when concerns were brought forward. It often seemed more important to be accepted by the students than to maintain the professionalism and authority I would expect from the principal of an elementary/middle school. The front office was also consistently unpleasant and unhelpful. Safety was another major concern. There were numerous occasions when school gates were left open & I was very uncomfortable with how easily people appeared to have access to the school. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, I would strongly encourage you to ask very specific questions about how accommodations & services are actually being provided. Based on our experience, my child was pulled out of class supposedly to receive additional help, but instead ended up sitting with a group of other students without receiving the individualized support we were expecting. Bullying & student behavior were also extremely concerning. Fighting & inappropriate behavior seemed far too common. What was especially disturbing to me was seeing students sent to the front office for serious behavior & then seemingly being given snacks and allowed to hang out rather than receiving meaningful consequences or accountability. Middle school students sharing restrooms with kindergarten-aged children. Another issue was the cafeteria. Students were routinely expected to eat outside regardless of the weather, despite there being a large indoor cafeteria area with tables that was always available. I found this completely unacceptable, when brought up to the principal she replied with send an umbrella. The biggest issue throughout our experience was the lack of accountability. When parents raise legitimate concerns, they should feel heard, respected & confident that the school will take action.
Unfortunately, that was not our experience. Our experience was not what I expected from a school entrusted with the care, education & safety of children. I would not recommend this school to other families. Visit the campus. Ask how IEP/504 services are monitored. Ask about bullying procedures, campus security, restroom policies & how behavioral incidents are handled. Dont let them fool you!

Posted: August 6, 2026

Posted: April 29, 2026

This was our first full year at La Mesa, and overall, our experience has been mixed. The front office staff has not felt particularly welcoming, and we have noticed what appears to be bias from the principal. Communication with parents is limited, especially when issues arise, concerns often seem to be overlooked rather than addressed transparently, requiring families to put in extra effort to fully understand whats going on. It often feels like families are kept in the dark unless they actively reach out about concerns.

Additionally, this year, one of the teachers, whom I prefer not to name; was particularly difficult to work with. Communication was virtually nonexistent, and interactions often felt dismissive. While I understand that unexpected circumstances can arise isn personal life, this particular teacher was absent for a significant portion of the year. During the times she was actually present, our experience still reflected the same lack of communication and dismissive approach.

Posted: April 29, 2026

Posted: March 14, 2026

I am writing this mostly looking at it from the perspective of their "middle school" grades such as 6-8th at La Mesa. No homework, no real control of classrooms (complete chaos from all accounts of all the people and kids I talked to), and simply zero electives or sports for the kids. You know its bad when your child is the one saying its a complete waste of their life and that we need to move school districts or they will fail in High School. We did exactly that, after a year at La Mesa we moved to another district with notable financial costs and it was one of the best choices we could have made. Plays in multiple sports with strong school spirit, no longer has bullies in their classes who are rotating in/out of the principles offices with no real punishments (other schools actually do real detention or suspensions - the classes actually function academically), and actually has taken on self-studying and reading because academically interested.

Thinking that the convenience and proximity of La Mesa to the housing for NPS was a good situation was simply foolish - this elementary school simply does not know how to deal with Middle Schoolers outside of their emotions. I feel like a bad parent for waiting a full year to move and get out of the Monterey Schools district. I have spoken to many people living in housing who had to similarly move, go to private schools, or homeschool after less than a year. Those that "stick it out" often have significant instruction at night or tutoring to compensate.

If you have a K-3 kids, sure it's likely fine as to be honest those years are a wash. But if you have a kid beyond that, this school is wildly inadequate. My elementary school kid in their new school does more science experiments and field trips than my "middle schooler" did at La Mesa by over a factor of 10.

Posted: March 14, 2026

Posted: February 20, 2026

While we have thankfully not experienced the safety, bullying, or personnel issues mentioned in some other reviews, our experience with the academic environment has been deeply concerning.

Currently, our childs primary teacher has been navigating personal issues, resulting in a reduced three-day-a-week scheduleand frequent absences even on those scheduled days. While I have complete empathy for teachers as individuals who face real-life challenges, the school administration's handling of this situation is actively failing the classroom.

Here are the main issues we are experiencing:

Lack of Stability: Having a rotating door of substitute teachers alongside a part-time primary teacher disrupts the consistency that young children critically need to thrive and learn.

Low Academic Rigor: When I ask my child about their day, the typical response involves watching videos or drawing, rather than engaging in structured, grade-level learning.

Declining Assessment Scores: Most alarmingly, objective data reflects this lack of instruction. Despite us providing additional academic support at home, my childs mid-year assessment scores actually dropped compared to their baseline at the beginning of the school year.

A school plays a foundational role in a child's development, and teachers require administrative support to keep classrooms functioning. Right now, this specific classroom is not providing an adequate academic environment. The school's education system needs to ensure that when a teacher requires extended flexibility, the childrens education and daily stability do not become collateral damage.

Its incredibly unfortunate that our children are unable to get the education they deserve.

Posted: February 20, 2026

Posted: January 10, 2026

This was a very disappointing school. The principal and vice principal are in way over their heads yet are oblivious to it. Their abject lack of leadership promotes a culture of delay and deceit. There is no sense of community at this school for a number of reasons. Their abject lack only reason that its test scores squeak by is because of military kids who have received education elsewhere. As others have stated, 504 and IEP are avoided and unfulfilled. Our student did virtually no work in the classroom and the teacher never communicated with us about it and just passively let it go unchecked. Avoid this school.

Posted: January 10, 2026

Posted: December 21, 2025

Military and 504/IEP families should be very careful. Gates are not supervised during drop off and aren't locked until after school starts and 504/IEPs are loosely enforced unless the district is involved. The assistant principal is great and there are some good teachers but I would avoid unless they get a new Principal.

Posted: December 21, 2025

Posted: June 6, 2025

Military families beware of this school! I understand the convenience of the location.
Safety: the school failed to inform parents on many important issues, some examples are bullying, weapons, trespassing and even alcohol incidents.
The gates are rarely secured allowing students and adults to walk in and out without properly checking into the office.
Education: the IEP support is a complete failure. The staff fails to communicate with parents and hides results until graduation.
Food and shelter: pre-packaged meals that are microwaved. Lack of shelter or use of indoor facilities during lunch hours; rainy days the kids sit in the rain or on the floor in the hallways. For the 2-3 weeks of high temperatures same practices.
My children have been to many different schools in different states, by far this has been our worst experience of an education institution. I understand options are limited, but if you can make every effort to try elsewhere or stay on top of the school.
I am truly sorry our children experience such an unpleasant experience, I hope yours do not.

Posted: June 6, 2025

Posted: December 11, 2024

La Mesa Elementary provides a safe, positive environment for students and families. Teachers, administration, and parents work together to support student learning. I find the energy around campus to be positive and exciting. Students are actively engaged in learning and are supported by parents and staff!

Posted: December 11, 2024

Posted: September 15, 2024

A kid brought a knife on to the campus theres fights almost every day at the school the food theyre serving the kids is so unhealthy and most of the teachers dont even show up and the kids are instructed to watch videos on what to do

Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: September 15, 2020

This school will do anything they can to avoid, delay, or stall the IEP assessment process and it is like pulling teeth to get them to support existing IEP. If you have a child with special needs or special learning needs, DO NOT enroll at this school.

Posted: September 15, 2020

Bullying is regular and NOT addressed by the administration. Teachers do what they can with very limited resources and when things escalate to the office/administration it is pushed under the rug or ignored.

Posted: September 15, 2020

The two years spent at this school were terrible.

Posted: September 15, 2020

Posted: January 18, 2020

Our daughter has been doing fantastic in this school. We have really seen a growth in her, and the teachers are great. The building itself could use some upgrades, but that doesnt affect the learning environment really. Highly recommend this school!

Posted: January 18, 2020

Posted: June 4, 2019

Overall, my kids enjoy it. The schools they were used to before were all about work, work, test scores, and very little outside/creative/recess time. I love the fact that this school has more outside time. It seems to be well-balanced. It could use some improvements to it's appearance though!

Posted: June 4, 2019

Homework was sent home, however, there were many times where my kids would still have homework due days prior in their folder that was not looked over or checked by the teacher.

Posted: June 4, 2019

I do believe the teachers at this school are effective. If there were ever an issue, the teachers were quick to resolve it in a timely manner.

Posted: June 4, 2019

Yes, this school develops strong character I would say.

Posted: June 4, 2019

The leadership at this school is effective. At the beginning, it was a little shaky and I had some disagreements with the front office, but it has improved significantly throughout the year. My only other issue were the events done at the school. I would have loved to see them more organized and decorated to its event than it looking thrown together at last minute.

Posted: June 4, 2019

My kids have had no issues with bullying at this school versus the schools they have went to prior.

Posted: March 30, 2019

Teachers are very nice at this school.

Posted: March 30, 2019

This is by far a good school in Monterey area.