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Public School0
Newport-Mesa Unified School District

Early College High School

#17 in Niche Standout High Schools in Los Angeles Area
  • A
    Overall Grade
  • Public, Alternative
  • 9-12
  • Costa Mesa, CA
  • 130 reviews
    A
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      A-
    2. Diversity
      A
    3. Teachers
      A+
    4. College Prep
      B+
    5. Clubs & Activities
      C-
    6. Health & Safety
      A+
    7. Administration
      A+
    8. Sports
      NG
    9. Food
      A
    10. Resources & Facilities
      C
    View Full Report Card
    Early College High School is a highly rated, public, alternative school located in Costa Mesa, CA. It has 246 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 24 to 1. According to state test scores, 62% of students are at least proficient in math and 87% in reading.
    web.nmusd.us
    (714) 241-6108
    2990 Mesa Verde Dr.
    Costa Mesa, CA 92626
    Work Here? Claim Your School

    Early College High School Rankings

    Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

    Academics

    Percent Proficient - Reading
    87%
    Percent Proficient - Math
    62%
    Average Graduation Rate
    90%
    Average SAT
    1120
    113 responses
    Average ACT
    24
    65 responses
    AP Enrollment
    16%
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    Living in the Area
    A
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Cost of Living
      D+
    2. Good for Families
      A-
    3. Housing
      C-
    Median Household Income
    $88,363
    National
    $55,322
    Median Rent
    $1,638
    National
    $949
    Median Home Value
    $806,321
    National
    $184,700

    Culture & Safety

    Health & Safety
    A+
    Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
    Poll
    88%
    of students agree that they feel safe at their school.24 responses
    Poll
    92%
    of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.24 responses
    Poll
    What are your favorite school events or traditions?
    Based on 49 responses
    Report
    • House Competitions
      49%
    • Winter break
      24%
    • Environmental issues project
      12%
    • Spirit Week
      8%
    • DP Presentations
      4%
    • Homecoming
      2%

    Students

    Diversity
    A
    Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
    Students
    246
    Free or Reduced Lunch
    65%
    96%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.25 responses
    84%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.25 responses
    24%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.25 responses

    Teachers

    Student-Teacher Ratio
    24:1
    National
    17:1
    Average Teacher Salary
    $103,910
    Teachers in First/Second Year
    0%
    85%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.26 responses
    92%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.26 responses
    88%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.26 responses

    Clubs & Activities

    Clubs & Activities
    C-
    Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
    Girls Athletic Participation
    Very Low
    Boys Athletic Participation
    Very Low
    Expenses Per Student
    $13,568/ year
    National
    $12,239
    18%
    of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.28 responses
    21%
    of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.28 responses
    29%
    of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.28 responses
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    Early College High School Reviews

    130 reviews
    All Categories
    I transferred to Early College my sophomore year because of the significant educational opportunity. Community College professors come to our campus Monday through Thursday and teach college classes. By the time I graduate, I will have two years of college completed, free of cost. There are less than 250 students in the entire school so we don't have sports teams and not many clubs or extracurriculars. Despite this, the campus culture is still fun. The most unique thing about Early College is our house competitions. The school is split up into four different houses: seadragons, stingrays, narwals, and barracudas, similar to the houses in Harry Potter. Each month we have a house competition where all of the houses compete in a game and in the end, one house wins. Although my school is so academically focused, there is still no lack of a high school experience.
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    As a senior at Early College High, my time is coming to an end. I was able to accomplish great study habits and college readiness. I am grateful for the amazing staff, especially the teachers and both counselors for college and high school classes. By going to ECHS, I have saved a significant amount of money. By the time I graduate, I will be receiving my IGETC Certification which certifies that I have completed up to two years worth of college transferable credits. Although the environment is rigorous, there are many resources for help. The staff is truly amazing for they help seniors apply to college and many scholarships. The college readiness is taken seriously at this school, and ECHS prepares students academically for the next step in life which is college.
    Do not let this little, quiet school fool you--ECHS is a gem. Led by an intimate group of caring teachers and faculty, all staff members dedicate their lives to benefit the students. Coming from a background of a traditional high school and then comparing it to ECHS, I love Early College dearly!
    With the ability to take many college class (nearly free of charge), you become more than prepared for college!
    While the focus remains primarly on academics (the reason why we don't have sports or very many clubs), every student can feel at home and succeed at Early College!