Elementary school (grades K-5) · La Mesa, CA
Sparrow Academy
Federal NCES profile for Sparrow Academy, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 40/100.
The verdict
Sparrow Academy earns 40/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 96% of California schools.
- #1 of 12
- elementary schools in La Mesa · Resource Index
- 40
- Resource Index · Typical
- 9.2:1
- small classes for California
- 26.8%
- free-lunch eligible
Sparrow Academy has class sizes smaller than 96% of California schools. Computed live against every California school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Sparrow Academy ranks #1 of 12 elementary schools in La Mesa, CA.
School address
NCES ID 060229814132 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-51 students YoY
Sparrow Academy shrank from 399 students in 2022-23 to 348 in 2023-24 (-12.8%).
Teacher FTE lost 17.3 → 13.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-51 students YoY 060229814132 · La Mesa, CA Elementary · SMALL · CHARTER
156 enr · 9.2:1 · 26.8% lunch · RII 40
Nearest enrollment peer: Flightline Upper Academy (156 students)
Sparrow Academy shrank from 399 students in 2022-23 to 348 in 2023-24 (-12.8%). Teacher FTE lost 17.3 → 13.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · California schools → · Find another →
How Sparrow Academy compares
Sparrow Academy is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs California and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs California | California avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 9.2:1 | ▼ 57% | 21.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 26.8% | ▼ 52% | 55.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 156 | top 86% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
Equity indicators methodology
Student demographics
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 48.1% of enrollment.
Simpson diversity index - at 60.4, Sparrow Academy is more mixed than the California school average of 46.0.
Programs
District finance for Sparrow Academy District reports $12,654 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
Similar elementary schools in La Mesa
6 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~156 students)
Frequently asked questions about Sparrow Academy
How many students attend Sparrow Academy?
Sparrow Academy has 156 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in La Mesa, CA. CCD year-over-year: 399 (2022-23) → 348 (2023-24), down 51.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sparrow Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Sparrow Academy is 9.2:1, which is 57% lower than the California average of 21.5:1 and 41% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Sparrow Academy?
26.8% of students at Sparrow Academy are eligible for free lunch, compared to the California average of 55.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Sparrow Academy?
The largest demographic group at Sparrow Academy is Hispanic or Latino at 48.1% of enrollment, in La Mesa, CA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 60.4/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Sparrow Academy?
Sparrow Academy has a Resource Investment Index of 40/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Sparrow Academy rank among elementary schools in La Mesa?
By Resource Investment Index, Sparrow Academy ranks #1 of 12 elementary schools in La Mesa, CA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in La Mesa on the city page.
What other schools are in Sparrow Academy District?
None; Sparrow Academy District is a single-school charter district, and Sparrow Academy is its only campus.