At a glance
Reported students
177
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
11.85
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
California high enrollment
36th percentile
Compared with 2,195 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
373
Early College High: 177 reported students.
State peer staffing position
29th percentile
14.9:1 reported; state peer median 19.2:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 212
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11.1
- Student–teacher ratio
- 19.1:1
What the reported data says about Early College High
Early College High is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Costa Mesa. It is one of 32 current school records connected to Newport-Mesa Unified. NCES reports 177 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,195 high schools in California with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 416 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 36th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.9:1, below the California median of 19.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (59.3%) and White (27.1%). English learners represent 2.8% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 0.9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports computer science. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Early College High
- 1How do the reported 14.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 11.85 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0.6 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 2.8%
- Students with disabilities
- 0.9%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 65%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0.6
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.4
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.4
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White27.1%
- Hispanic59.3%
- Black0.6%
- Asian7.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial4%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
No students enrolled reported
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
Computer science
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Newport-Mesa Unified
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Back Bay High
High · Grades 09–12
143 reported students
Monte Vista Independent Study
High · Grades 07–12
48 reported students
Estancia High
High · Grades 09–12
976 reported students
Costa Mesa High
High · Grades 07–12
1,730 reported students
Newport Harbor High
High · Grades 09–12
2,084 reported students
Corona del Mar High
High · Grades 07–12
2,106 reported students
Public schools near Early College High
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Mesa High High · Newport-Mesa Unified | 07–12 | 1,730 | 1.4 mi |
| Estancia High High · Newport-Mesa Unified | 09–12 | 976 | 1.5 mi |
| Coastline ROP High · Coastline ROP | 09–12 | 0 | 1.7 mi |
| Monte Vista Independent Study High · Newport-Mesa Unified | 07–12 | 48 | 1.7 mi |
| Segerstrom High High · Santa Ana Unified | 09–12 | 2,376 | 2.3 mi |
| Fountain Valley High High · Huntington Beach Union High | 09–12 | 3,171 | 2.6 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Early College High
What grades does Early College High serve?
Early College High reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school (alternative school) in Newport-Mesa Unified.
How many students attend Early College High?
Early College High reported 177 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 36th percentile among 2,195 California high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 212 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Early College High?
The calculated ratio is 14.9:1, based on 177 students and 11.85 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The California median for the same school level is 19.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Early College High a public, charter, or magnet school?
Early College High is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Newport-Mesa Unified attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Early College High students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
65% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Early College High in?
Early College High is part of Newport-Mesa Unified, based in Costa Mesa, CA, which operates 32 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Early College High?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Costa Mesa High (1.4 mi), Estancia High (1.5 mi), Coastline ROP (1.7 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.