Back Bay High

Summary:

Back Bay High is a small public high school in Costa Mesa, California, serving grades 9-12 and part of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Unfortunately, this school has consistently struggled, ranking in the bottom 10-15% of California high schools over the past several years and receiving a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of the past decade.

Back Bay High's academic performance is significantly below district and state averages, with only 3.51% of 11th-grade students proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy, compared to 62.53% in the district and 55.73% statewide. In Mathematics, 0% of 11th-grade students were proficient or better, compared to 35.68% in the district and 27.9% statewide. The school also faces high dropout rates, ranging from 5% to 35.7%, and extremely high chronic absenteeism, reaching 89.4% in the 2020-2021 school year. These challenges are compounded by the fact that 74.07% of Back Bay High's students come from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

When compared to other high schools in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Back Bay High's performance is significantly lower. For example, Estancia High, just 2.59 miles away, has a statewide ranking in the top third of California high schools and much higher academic proficiency rates. Similarly, Early College High and Corona del Mar High, both within a few miles of Back Bay High, have significantly higher academic outcomes and lower dropout rates. These stark disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes underscore the need for targeted efforts to address the unique challenges faced by the Back Bay High community.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 390 Monte Vista Ave.
       Costa Mesa, CA  92627-1495


(949) 515-6900

District: Newport-Mesa Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
2257th of 2,323 California High Schools


Student/teacher ratio:  8.7 Help
Number of students:  150

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
74.7%
White:
20.0%
Not Specified:
2.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  84% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Back Bay High ranks worse than 97.2% of high schools in California. It also ranks last among 7 ranked high schools in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 6.85. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Back Bay High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (74.7%), White (20%), African American (1.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 84% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Back Bay High is 8.7, which is the lowest among 7 high schools in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Back Bay High employs 17.1 full-time teachers.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Back Bay High:

SchoolDigger ranks Back Bay High 2257th of 2323 California public high schools. (See Back Bay High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


Newport-Mesa Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Newport-Mesa Unified 430th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Back Bay High

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Rank History for all students at Back Bay High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 31.39 896th 1653 45.8%
2005 24.17 1231st 1901 35.2%
2006 23.57 1290th 1968 34.5%
2007 32.13 1086th 2063 47.4%
2008 36.33 1006th 2117 52.5%
2009 44.96 883rd 2238 60.5%
2010 35.92 1106th 2281 51.5%
2011 43.38 961st 2367 59.4%
2012 27.23 1383rd 2354 41.2%
2013 25.90 1446th 2426 40.4%
2015 10.25 1828th 1994 8.3%
2016 13.29 1673rd 2039 17.9%
2017 14.17 1614th 2021 20.1%
2018 10.32 1827th 2017 9.4%
2019 11.28 1959th 2133 8.2%
2021 7.27 1258th 1290 2.5%
2022 10.09 2050th 2123 3.4%
2023 7.07 2262nd 2348 3.7%
2024 6.85 2257th 2323 2.8%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Back Bay High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.19 928th 938 1.1%
2019 31.31 713th 941 24.2%
2021 19.96 428th 467 8.4%
2022 27.02 975th 1044 6.6%
2023 28.70 863rd 1323 34.8%
2024 23.22 1125th 1350 16.7%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Back Bay High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 9.53 1793rd 1862 3.7%
2019 10.00 1867th 1937 3.6%
2021 7.01 1101st 1126 2.2%
2022 9.30 1916th 1943 1.4%
2023 7.02 2167th 2247 3.6%
2024 6.68 2179th 2235 2.5%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Back Bay High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.94 1644th 1760 6.6%
2019 8.77 1750th 1833 4.5%
2021 5.10 1035th 1054 1.8%
2022 8.24 1828th 1858 1.6%
2023 7.05 2068th 2118 2.4%
2024 6.56 2055th 2098 2.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Back Bay High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 10.50 1661st 1834 9.4%
2019 11.28 1709th 1880 9.1%
2021 6.56 1103rd 1122 1.7%
2022 10.37 1832nd 1916 4.4%
2023 6.70 2142nd 2207 2.9%
2024 6.69 2102nd 2172 3.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Back Bay High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 8.96 1673rd 1742 4.0%
2019 10.00 1728th 1814 4.7%
2022 8.85 1840th 1861 1.1%
2023 6.71 2069th 2142 3.4%
2024 6.45 2066th 2125 2.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Back Bay High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 4.00 1122nd 1173 4.3%
2019 6.09 1132nd 1222 7.4%
2023 1.97 1421st 1434 0.9%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Back Bay High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: California Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Back Bay High

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 116 0 3 17 0 n/a n/a 0 136
1989 92 1 2 21 0 n/a n/a 0 116
1990 85 4 3 13 0 n/a n/a 0 105
1991 74 1 8 8 0 n/a n/a 0 91
1992 92 0 13 32 0 n/a n/a 0 137
1993 84 2 10 27 0 n/a n/a 0 123
1994 60 1 1 31 0 n/a n/a 0 93
1995 34 2 4 28 0 n/a n/a 0 68
1996 34 2 4 28 0 n/a n/a 0 68
1997 34 1 4 14 0 n/a n/a 0 53
1998 14 4 5 24 0 n/a n/a 0 47
1999 31 1 7 52 0 n/a n/a 0 91
2000 13 0 8 41 0 n/a n/a 0 62
2001 19 0 4 37 0 n/a n/a 0 60
2002 38 0 3 39 0 n/a n/a 0 80
2003 38 0 3 39 0 n/a n/a 0 80
2004 47 1 5 43 3 n/a n/a 0 99
2005 92 2 5 77 3 n/a n/a 0 179
2006 94 1 3 79 1 n/a n/a 0 178
2007 95 1 6 73 2 n/a n/a 0 177
2008 91 n/a 5 104 2 n/a n/a 0 202
2009 89 4 4 125 1 0 0 0 223
2010 58 3 2 52 0 1 0 0 116
2011 53 3 2 88 1 0 1 0 148
2012 53 2 4 59 0 0 1 0 119
2013 58 4 7 92 0 2 1 0 164
2014 46 3 4 87 1 0 1 0 142
2015 44 3 4 119 3 1 1 0 175
2016 37 6 3 157 1 3 4 0 211
2017 28 6 1 102 1 3 3 0 144
2018 37 2 1 124 1 3 3 0 171
2019 39 0 1 125 0 2 2 0 169
2020 35 3 2 118 1 0 2 0 161
2021 33 2 0 89 1 0 2 0 127
2022 31 0 2 98 0 0 3 0 134
2023 27 1 2 96 0 1 6 2 135
2024 30 2 1 112 0 1 1 3 150

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Back Bay High

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 136 8.0 17.0 n/a
1989 116 8.8 13.1 n/a
1990 105 7.0 15.0 n/a
1991 91 7.0 13.0 n/a
1992 137 7.1 19.2 23.4
1993 123 5.0 24.6 8.1
1994 93 4.0 23.3 16.1
1995 68 3.6 18.9 82.4
1996 68 3.6 18.9 82.4
1997 53 2.8 18.9 62.3
1998 47 4.0 11.8 8.5
1999 91 6.6 13.8 50.5
2000 62 4.0 15.5 58.1
2001 60 3.0 20.0 46.7
2002 80 5.0 16.0 22.5
2003 80 5.0 16.0 22.5
2004 99 5.9 16.8 44.4
2005 179 8.0 22.4 60.9
2006 178 11.0 16.2 38.8
2007 177 8.9 19.9 39
2008 202 17.3 11.7 37.6
2009 223 17.5 10.8 30.5
2010 116 14.0 8.2 22.4
2011 148 n/a n/a 25
2012 119 9.8 12.1 n/a
2013 164 10.0 16.4 60.4
2014 142 9.2 15.4 68.3
2015 175 9.0 19.4 64.6
2016 211 11.0 19.1 71.1
2017 144 10.2 14.0 65.3
2018 171 13.3 12.8 71.9
2019 169 12.3 13.7 66.9
2020 161 n/a n/a 71.4
2021 127 13.6 9.3 78
2022 134 11.8 11.3 56.7
2023 135 14.2 9.4 74.1
2024 150 17.1 8.7 84

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Back Bay High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 136 8.0 17.0 n/a
1989 116 8.8 13.1 n/a
1990 105 7.0 15.0 n/a
1991 91 7.0 13.0 n/a
1992 137 7.1 19.2 23.4
1993 123 5.0 24.6 8.1
1994 93 4.0 23.3 16.1
1995 68 3.6 18.9 82.4
1996 68 3.6 18.9 82.4
1997 53 2.8 18.9 62.3
1998 47 4.0 11.8 8.5
1999 91 6.6 13.8 50.5
2000 62 4.0 15.5 58.1
2001 60 3.0 20.0 46.7
2002 80 5.0 16.0 22.5
2003 80 5.0 16.0 22.5
2004 99 5.9 16.8 44.4
2005 179 8.0 22.4 60.9
2006 178 11.0 16.2 38.8
2007 177 8.9 19.9 39
2008 202 17.3 11.7 37.6
2009 223 17.5 10.8 30.5
2010 116 14.0 8.2 22.4
2011 148 n/a n/a 25
2012 119 9.8 12.1 n/a
2013 164 10.0 16.4 60.4
2014 142 9.2 15.4 68.3
2015 175 9.0 19.4 64.6
2016 211 11.0 19.1 71.1
2017 144 10.2 14.0 65.3
2018 171 13.3 12.8 71.9
2019 169 12.3 13.7 66.9
2020 161 n/a n/a 71.4
2021 127 13.6 9.3 78
2022 134 11.8 11.3 56.7
2023 135 14.2 9.4 74.1
2024 150 17.1 8.7 84

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Back Bay High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1959th of 2133 High schoolsRanks 2262nd of 2348 High schools
 4.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Back Bay High)1.91.9
 0%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Newport-Mesa Unified)63.757.3
 6.4%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Back Bay High)00
   11th Grade Mathematics (Newport-Mesa Unified)40.333.1
 7.2%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
11th Grade Science (Back Bay High)1.90
 1.9%
   11th Grade Science (Newport-Mesa Unified)43.634
 9.6%
   11th Grade Science (California)30.431.7
 1.3%
12th Grade Science (Back Bay High)1.60
 1.6%
   12th Grade Science (Newport-Mesa Unified)34.734.9
 0.3%
   12th Grade Science (California)25.626.8
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students169135
 20.1%
African American01
American Indian00
Asian12
 100%
Hispanic12596
 23.2%
Pacific Islander21
 50%
White3927
 30.8%
Two or More Races26
 200%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients66.9%74.1%
 7.2%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Back Bay High

In the 2023-24 school year, 150 students attended Back Bay High.

Back Bay High ranks in the bottom 2.8% of California high schools.

Students at Back Bay High are 75% Hispanic, 20% White, 2% Not Specified, 1% African American.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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