La Mirada Academy
San Marcos, CA 92078
Phone: (760) 290-2000
Fax: (760) 598-5727
District: San Marcos Unified School District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades KG,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 • 868 students
La Mirada Academy, a public school located in San Marcos, CA, serves grades K-8 in the San Marcos Unified School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 2 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
La Mirada Academy is a public school located in San Marcos, CA. 868 students attend La Mirada Academy.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 3/10 | 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 | 1/10 | 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: September 11, 2023
Posted: September 11, 2023
Posted: September 11, 2023
Posted: September 11, 2023
Posted: September 11, 2023
Posted: September 11, 2023
Posted: September 11, 2023
Posted: September 11, 2023
I went to this school from TK-8th grade. My whole elementary experience was at Alvin Dunn and it was perfect. Teachers looks to always be happy and had a very great environment. I learned a lot and they school had a high budget so we went to a lot of field trips. I was the second wave of "middle" schoolers and for 6th grade we have a brand new building/school called LMA. We started to have some problems, there were a lot of fights/drug problems. I honestly don't know why they made the school into a K-8th, biggest mistake the school district has done. I recently received news that many of my old teachers from both elementary, mostly middle school teacher have quit due to bad management/quality of the school. The school isn't IB anymore because there have been no results from the program and it costed too much money. I do believe that there is still hope for this school if they get better staff to put the school back on track. If you have kids attending this school, tell them to be respectful to the teachers/staff, they don't get paid enough and they already do too much for the school.
Posted: July 17, 2022
Posted: July 17, 2022
Posted: July 17, 2022
Posted: July 17, 2022
Posted: July 17, 2022
Posted: July 17, 2022
Posted: July 17, 2022
Posted: July 17, 2022
Very wonderful school with amazing staff. My child has special needs and they do a fantastic job meeting them.
Posted: January 16, 2022
Posted: January 16, 2022
Posted: January 16, 2022
Posted: January 16, 2022
Posted: January 16, 2022
We love La Mirada Academy! This is our 4th year here and weve had great teachers every year. Our daughter excelled during virtual school, and didnt suffer the setbacks that many have nationwide. The school keeps us informed. We love the IB programming and all the resources at the school.
Posted: January 16, 2022
Posted: January 16, 2022
Posted: July 2, 2021
Posted: July 2, 2021
Posted: July 2, 2021
Posted: July 2, 2021
Posted: July 2, 2021
Ive had several friends go to this school and were very traumatized by it, the work was ok, but it was the management that suffered greatly. I once volunteered here with a group and we pledged to never go again, not only were the PTO rude and disrespectful, but the teachers themselves were too
Posted: July 2, 2021
Posted: July 2, 2021
Posted: July 2, 2021
Posted: September 9, 2019
Posted: September 9, 2019
Posted: September 9, 2019
Posted: September 9, 2019
We love everything about La Mirada Academy. Great teachers and a great atmosphere. The rating is inaccurate and not fair.
Posted: September 9, 2019
They are an International Baccalaureate school and have a great approach. Our kids have little to no homework and very successful.
Posted: September 9, 2019
Posted: September 9, 2019
Posted: February 2, 2019
Posted: February 2, 2019
Posted: February 2, 2019
Posted: February 2, 2019
I love all the changes in La Mirada Academy! The teachers are committed to doing everything it takes for our kids. And the new school building is amazing!
Posted: February 2, 2019
Posted: February 2, 2019
Posted: February 2, 2019
The IB program helps the students understand our world in a global context. My daughter loves learning here.
Posted: December 20, 2018
No they will move you right along
Posted: December 20, 2018
Not at all this school will drive a bus over your child . Then back up and do it again.!
Posted: December 20, 2018
Some teachers there promote no home work. Very high failure rate for kids who attend
Posted: December 20, 2018
Teachers are not up to par.! And could care less if your child is hurt there. A lot of the teachers children attend la mirada and take priority over all other children.!
Posted: December 20, 2018
Bad attitude is a reflection of bad leadership
Posted: December 20, 2018
Horrible dishonesty bad favoritism bullying adult teacher bullying everything you do not want for your child.! Well unless your a teacher or - professional.! Maybe then your voice will be heard.!
Posted: August 31, 2018
My son takes Speech Therapy and both his therapist and teacher are awesome
Posted: August 31, 2018
My kids have never dealt with bullying here, so I guess its dealt with beforehand
Posted: August 31, 2018
Amazing.
If I move, I will be sure to stay within Alvin Dunns/ La Miradas district
Posted: August 31, 2018
Posted: August 31, 2018
The teachers here are amazing. On the very first day my son attended, his teacher noticed he needed to be in speech therapy
Posted: August 31, 2018
I love how they go out of their way to recognize our kids.
Things like Student Of The Month really help our kids feel special
Posted: August 26, 2018
Posted: August 26, 2018
Posted: August 26, 2018
Posted: August 26, 2018
Posted: August 26, 2018
Posted: August 26, 2018
Posted: August 26, 2018
This school gets better every year! It has a very hard working staff and great administration!
Posted: March 17, 2018
Posted: March 17, 2018
Posted: March 17, 2018
Posted: March 17, 2018
Posted: March 17, 2018
The IB program has completely revitalized this school and we cannot wait to see the new school built!
Posted: March 17, 2018
Posted: March 17, 2018
Posted: August 3, 2015
Our Daughter, who is 4yrs old and will be 5 in October, has been attending school at Alvin Dunn Elementary in their PreK program, since October 2013, when she turned 3 yrs.
We have been so very pleased with the School and especially with her Teacher, Mrs. Perkins and all of her assistant through out the whole time she attended the school. Our daughter also enjoyed their summer school program, with Mrs Perkins. We are very proud to have had our daughter to have graduated PreK and now ready for Transitional Kindergarten starting this year. Our daughter who had a few issues, like socializing and transition from one activitie to the next..now loves talking to everyone and has learn how to transition to another activities. She has learned so much and has come along way. I would highly recommend Alvin Dunn Elementary!!! Thank you AD!! The Smith's XOXO
Posted: August 3, 2015
Our daughter loves her Teacher like family and has loved all of her assistants she had.
Posted: August 3, 2015
Posted: August 3, 2015
Posted: April 19, 2015
My son lasted only seven months as he was repeatedly bullied at the school. I also volunteered in his second grade class and was a witness to the undisciplined behavior of many of the students at recess.School say they have a zero tolerance with bully students but that's such a lie at San Marcos unified school District. He now goes to charter school.
Posted: June 21, 2014
I have 3 children that have attended Alvin Dunn. One of the three is still at Alvin Dunn as a 4th grader. My eldest did all his elementary at Alvin Dunn and the San Marcos district. He graduation with honors and this fall will be entering his 4th year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in Bio Scienve engineer. My middle child is currently a sophomore at SMHS and doing exceptionally well. I thank Alvin Dunn for their love and passion of providing such a good learning experiene for the students. A special thanks to Alvin Dunn teachers and their genuine interest for the students having a successful future.
Posted: August 28, 2013
I am really disappointed in the 3 out of 10 rating for the API for Alvin Dunn school. Why is it that this is not a 10 or an 8? This is just not acceptable. For yrs it has been at a 4, and I was really disturbed by it. Now it is a 3? Is this all we can offer our children? Feeling the need to get my grandson out of this school,fast. When is this going to be a school of high ranking? and why isn't it!!!???
Posted: February 12, 2013
Since my son began kindergarten at Alvin Dunn, my husband and I have been astounded at the impact the program has had upon our son. Although our five-year old spent three years at a private Montessori school prior to entering Kindergarten, his love of learning took off exponentially when he began kindergarten at this soon-to-be IB world school. A former AP teacher myself at two of San Diego s highest performing high schools, I was and continue to be astounded at the impact this inquiry-based learning model is having upon our son. I currently work as an Assistant Principal at an IB world school in Vista, and I can say that Alvin Dunn is cultivating in its students what International Baccalaureate students worldwide strive to be: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. The program has turned my reluctant reader, writer, and Spanish-speaker into a boy who is hungry for learning & innovation; every lesson crafted has purpose and meaning. Our family is proud to be members of the inspirational Alvin Dunn learning community. -Shannon Hampton Garcia, Assistant Principal, Rancho Buena Vista High School
Posted: August 30, 2010
Although I live in NY, my grandson attends this school and I was really impressed with the way he read after completing the first grade. While visiting over the summer he loved reading to me and I believe he reads better than my other grandchildren who attend school in NY.
Posted: April 11, 2007
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rancho Carrillo | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Carlsbad | CA | 2.5 mi | |
| 2 | Shadowridge | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Vista | CA | 3.1 mi | |
| 3 | La Costa | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Carlsbad | CA | 4.6 mi | |
| 4 | Windsor at Aviara | Apartment Complex | Carlsbad | CA | 5 mi | |
| 5 | Palisades Pointe | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Carlsbad | CA | 6.7 mi | |
| 6 | Mira Costa Estates | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Oceanside | CA | 6.9 mi | |
| 7 | St. Cloud | Condominium/Townhouse | Oceanside | CA | 7.6 mi | |
| 8 | Montecito village apartments | Apartment Complex | Oceanside | CA | 7.8 mi | |
| 9 | Torrey Highlands | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 12.3 mi | |
| 10 | Spectrum Center Blvd, Kearny Mesa | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 22.2 mi | |
| 11 | Redhawk | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Temecula | CA | 23.2 mi | |
| 12 | Canyon View | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 23.5 mi | |
| 13 | Santee Villas | Apartment Complex | Santee | CA | 24.1 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlsbad | Carlsbad | CA | 8.6 mi | |
| 2 | Encinitas | Encinitas | CA | 9 mi | |
| 3 | Downtown Oceanside | Oceanside | CA | 10.7 mi | |
| 4 | Torrey Highlands | San Diego | CA | 12.3 mi | |
| 5 | Lake Rancho Viejo | Fallbrook | CA | 13.1 mi | |
| 6 | Mira Mesa | San Diego | CA | 15.9 mi | |
| 7 | Wine Country area of Scripps Ranch | San Diego | CA | 17.3 mi | |
| 8 | University City | San Diego | CA | 19.7 mi | |
| 9 | La Jolla | La Jolla | CA | 20.8 mi | |
| 10 | Serra Mesa | San Diego | CA | 24 mi | |
| 11 | Santee Trolley Square | Santee | CA | 24.5 mi | |
| 12 | Santee | Santee | CA | 24.9 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Camp Pendleton | 18.5 mi. |
| Miramar MCAS | 19 mi. |
| MCRD San Diego | 27.9 mi. |
| San Diego Naval Medical Center | 28.8 mi. |
| North Island NAS | 30.7 mi. |
| Naval Base Point Loma | 31.7 mi. |
| San Diego Naval Base | 32.2 mi. |
| Coronado Naval Amphibious Base | 32.4 mi. |
