Summary:
The International School for Science and Culture District in Costa Mesa consists of a single, high-performing K-8 elementary school, International School for Science and Culture, which serves 97 students and operates as its own specialized district.
This school stands out for its exceptional academic achievement and rapid improvement, with student proficiency rates soaring roughly 35 percentage points above the state average in English, math, and science. Its statewide ranking has climbed dramatically from the 59th percentile to the 87th percentile in just three years. Furthermore, student engagement is notably high, with a chronic absenteeism rate of only 7.1%, which is significantly lower than the state average, suggesting a strong and supportive school culture.
While performance is strong overall, there is a notable variation between grades, such as a significant drop in 4th-grade math proficiency compared to 3rd grade, which may indicate an area for curriculum review. The school serves an economically diverse population and achieves these outstanding results with a student-teacher ratio and per-student spending that are not exceptionally high, pointing to an efficient and effective educational model focused on science and culture.
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