Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
Are you a student or parent at Mira Costa High School? Want to understand how to get the most out of high school?
We've written the best guide to Mira Costa High available. Here we'll cover:
- Breakdowns of student ethnicity, gender, and family income
- How safe Mira Costa High is to attend
- SAT/ACT/AP scores earned by Mira Costa High students
- Which AP/IB classes you can take at Mira Costa High
- Every sports team you can join at Mira Costa High
Let's get started!
Basic Information
Mira Costa High School is a public school, supporting grades 9 to 12 . It's located in Manhattan Beach, CA in Los Angeles County.
Based on its location, Mira Costa High is classified as a school in a large suburb. Here's the location on a map:
Contact Information
Mailing address:
Mira Costa High School325 S. Peck Ave. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-7157
Phone number: 3103187337
Mira Costa High School homepage: http://www.miracostahigh.org/
Principal: Ben DaleEmail the principal: [email protected]
Student Demographics
Student Enrollment
The total enrollment at Mira Costa High School is 2488 students, making it a very large high school, in the top 10% of all California high schools by size.
Wow! Attending Mira Costa High might feel like attending a college. You'll be surrounded by a large group of students (over 500 per class) and have more options for activities and clubs to join, which can be exciting.
On the other hand, you may also find that resources like counseling are spread thin across so many students. Make sure that you can get enough teacher and counselor attention to succeed at Mira Costa High, which may require being proactive.
Growth in Student Body Size
Is Mira Costa High School growing or shrinking? This will help you see trends in where the school is headed.
From our calculations, the enrollment at Mira Costa High has increased over the past few years. We calculate this by comparing enrollment in grades 9 to 12.
| Male Students | Female Students | All Students | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th grade | 300 | 353 | 653 |
| 10th grade | 295 | 332 | 627 |
| 11th grade | 304 | 333 | 637 |
| 12th grade | 278 | 293 | 571 |
As you can see in the table above, the freshman class is 82 students larger than the senior class. This suggests that the school is growing in size and taking on more students.
There are a few reasons this could be happening. The city of Manhattan Beach could be growing in population, thus sending more students into Mira Costa High. Alternatively, Mira Costa High could be relaxing its student policies and taking in more students.
Gender Split
Are there more boys or girls at Mira Costa High School?
From our statistics, Mira Costa High has a 48:52 split between male and female students in the high school grades.
Mira Costa High has a balanced male-female ratio that's largely representative of the general population in Los Angeles County. Since the student body is roughly half and half, it should feel like there are equal numbers of boys and girls in your classes.
This usually means that Mira Costa High doesn't strongly select for either males or females, unlike other schools that have a large majority of males or females.
Ethnicity Breakdown
What's the racial diversity at Mira Costa High School? Does one ethnicity make up most of the student body, or is it fairly balanced?
From our statistics, Mira Costa High has a somewhat homogenous student body, with the majority of students identifying as one ethnicity, but not representing over 70% of the student body. Most schools in California fit this profile, so Mira Costa High isn't out of the ordinary. Most students attending class with you will be of the predominant ethnicity, but there will be meaningful diversity from other races.
The majority of students at Mira Costa High are white. In California, white students make up 26.3% of all California students, and are the second most common ethnicity after Hispanic students. Thus Mira Costa High is one of hundreds of schools in the state that have a majority of white students.
| Percentage | Number | |
|---|---|---|
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 0.0% | 2 |
| Asian | 9.5% | 238 |
| Hispanic | 14.8% | 370 |
| Black | 5.1% | 129 |
| White | 57.1% | 1422 |
| Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander | 0.4% | 12 |
| Two or more races | 12.6% | 315 |
High schools usually reflect the population in the surrounding area, so the ethnicities of students likely resembles those of Manhattan Beach. If you'd like to see how other nearby schools look in diversity, just google "[name of school] prepscholar" to find our guide to that specific school.
Income Level of Mira Costa High Families
What are the family incomes of students at Mira Costa High School? To determine this, we look at the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunches, a classification by the US federal government.
To qualify for a reduced price meal, family income needs to be below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. For a family of 4, this means an income of around $45,000 or below.
To qualify for a free meal, family income needs to be below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. For a family of 4, this means an income of around $32,000 or below.
The lower the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced price meals, the higher the income levels are likely to be.
At Mira Costa High, 1.2% of students qualify for reduced-price lunches, and 2.5% qualify for free lunches.
This means Mira Costa High has a very low poverty level. Nearly no students at Mira Costa High qualify for free or reduced price lunches. Manhattan Beach is thus likely to have a very affluent community, and Mira Costa High is in the top 10% of California schools in terms of family income.
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Reduced-price lunches | 31 | 1.2% |
| Free lunches | 63 | 2.5% |
| Do not qualify for reduced-price or free lunches | 2394 | 96.2% |
As with ethnicity, this likely reflects the surrounding community in Manhattan Beach and doesn't speak much about the school itself.
Because Mira Costa High is in the top quartile of schools by family income, it's likely to be well-funded relative to other high schools in California. This means you'll likely have access to advanced coursework like AP/IB classes and better-funded extracurriculars and sports.
It's still up to you, though, to take advantage of the resources Mira Costa High has to offer. If you work hard and spend your time effectively, you'll likely be well positioned to succeed in college and beyond.
Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.
School Safety
How safe is Mira Costa High School to attend? Can you expect a lot of conflict as a student here?
To study this, we look at disciplinary data for two types of incidents at Mira Costa High: referrals to law enforcement (when incidents are reported to police), and arrests.
These are the most serious disciplinary actions available to school administration and are more severe than suspensions or expulsions. Suspensions are often discretionary and can be given just for being disruptive in class. In contrast, law enforcement referrals and arrests often indicate incidents that put the safety of other Mira Costa High students at risk.
In the school year of 2011-2012, there were 6 referrals to law enforcement (6 male, 0 female), and 6 school-related arrests (6 males, 0 females). This is out of a total enrollment of 2449 students.
To put this into perspective, most California schools (59% of them) reported 0 law enforcement referrals and arrests.
This means that 0.4 Mira Costa High is a safe school. For every 100 students, there is much fewer than 1 law-enforcement related action. It's not a perfect record, but it happens so infrequently that it might have just been a few bad apples.
Academic Performance
Now we get to a major aspect of assessing a high school: academic performance. How good of an education will you get at Mira Costa High School? Will you be competitive for college? Will you have access to advanced classes?
We've compiled everything we could find about Mira Costa High's academics here.
Graduation Rate
To start off, an important benchmark of academic achievement is graduation rate. For all students who start high school at Mira Costa High, the state of California wants as many students to graduate as possible, since a high school diploma can mean a big difference in getting a job.
At Mira Costa High, 96% (of 609) Mira Costa High students graduated within four years of starting high school.
Here's how this stacks up to other schools. The California state government has defined 90% as a target rate. The state average is around 80-85%.
Mira Costa High is in the 90th percentile of all public high schools in California for graduation rate. This is well above average. Generally, a graduation rate of above 90% is considered good and well above average, and below 75% is well below average.
Note: This data comes from a few years back, but the trends are likely to stay the same, since schools don't get significantly better or worse within a short period of time.
Standardized Testing
Next, we'll look at another major piece of high school academics: standardized testing performance for Mira Costa High School students. These are tests that are administered to large populations of students for comparison purposes.
Let’s start by taking a look at the data for nationally administered standardized tests.
SAT Scores
As you probably know, the SAT is a critical test used for college admissions. The higher the score you get, the better your academic performance compared to students nationwide, and the easier it is to get into top colleges.
We did in-depth research and found the average Mira Costa High School SAT scores.
The average composite SAT score is a 1730 out of 2400, compared to a national average of 1500. Each year, roughly 621 at Mira Costa High take the SAT.
This is a very high average SAT score, putting Mira Costa High School in the top 10% of all California high schools. The average student at Mira Costa High is already scoring in the 75th percentile nationwide or higher - in fact, 81% of students score above the national average. The top students will likely be competing in the top tier nationwide.
Because the SAT measures academic ability, this is a good sign that you're surrounded by high-achieving peers. If you can keep up with your classmates at Mira Costa High - or even exceed them - you'll have a great shot at getting into very competitive colleges.
Here's a breakdown of SAT scores by section:
Average SAT Scores (2013-2014)
| Source | Critical Reading | Math | Writing | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mira Costa High | 569 | 585 | 576 | 1730 |
| California | 498 | 510 | 496 | 1504 |
| United States | 495 | 511 | 484 | 1490 |
Note that the SAT has since changed to a 1600 scale, but the trends above for your high school are likely to continue. Just use this guide to convert between the old 2400 scale and the new 1600 scale.
To learn more about SAT percentile rankings, read our guide on what SAT percentiles really mean.
How good is 1730 as an SAT score? Find out with our complete 1730 SAT score guide, including which colleges you can get into with a 1730 or any other SAT score!
Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.
ACT Scores
In California, the ACT is less popular than the SAT. Fewer students take the ACT, and typically these students are more motivated and academically prepared for college. Therefore, it's harder to compare Mira Costa High School ACT scores with the rest of the country.
At Mira Costa High, the average ACT composite score was 26, compared to the nationwide average of 20. Each year, roughly 271 out of 2488 total students take the ACT.
This is very good performance, putting Mira Costa High in the top 25% of high schools in California by ACT score. Nationwide, a 24 on the ACT is 74th percentile, so most ACT test takers at Mira Costa High are well above average.
Since the ACT is designed to gauge what you learn in school, high ACT scores are are a good indication that you'll get a great education and be surrounded by other students who value academic achievements.
Here are the average English, Math, Reading, and Science scores for Mira Costa High compared to California and the US:
Average ACT Scores
| Source | English | Math | Reading | Science |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mira Costa High | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
| California | 21.8 | 22.8 | 22.3 | 21.7 |
| United States | 20.3 | 20.9 | 21.3 | 20.8 |
Scores provided are for the 2013-14 school year.
Find out more about percentile rankings and the ACT in this article.
Every individual is different. What counts as a good ACT score for you? Learn more with this article!
Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement (AP) classes are college-level courses that are an additional academic challenge may give Mira Costa High School students credit for college.
Here's what we're looking for: high average AP test scores as well as high AP passing rates.
AP Scores
Every year, roughly 806 students in grades 9-12 at Mira Costa High take 1465 AP exams. It's important to understand how students score on the AP - earning a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP test means passing the test and often earning college credit.
The average score of all AP exams taken at Mira Costa High is 3.5 out of 5.
This is a great achievement showing well above average performance. Most students get AP scores of a 4 or a 5, placing them above the national average of a 3. This high academic achievement places Mira Costa High School in the top 10% of schools for AP tests.
Mira Costa High therefore has a strong AP program, with high quality classes that will prepare students well for AP exams. There is still a sizable number of students who earn a 3 or below, but if you're a motivated and resourceful student, you'll be able to be one of the top performers.
We have specific data on how many students got a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (out of 5) on AP exams in the chart below:
To find out the passing rates for specific AP courses at Mira Costa High School, you'll have to talk to your guidance counselor (who can then help you find that information). For instance, one AP Calculus teacher may have an above-90% passing rate, while another might only have a 50% passing rate. If you can, you'll want to take the class with the teacher who has more students get a 3 or above on the AP exam.
Find out more about the average score for each AP subject here.
State Tests
As of 2014, eleventh graders attending Mira Costa High School must take standardized tests in English/Language Arts and Math as part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). These align with the new Common Core standards and are called the "Smarter Balanced" tests.
If Mira Costa High students meet or exceed state standards, they're academically prepared to graduate high school and go to college. Specifically, we care about the percentage of students who meet or exceed state standards. The larger this number, the higher the preparation of students at Mira Costa High.
English/Language Arts
At Mira Costa High School, 75% of students meet or exceed state standards in English/Language Arts.
This is considered good and puts Mira Costa High in the top 25% of all high schools in California for English/Language Arts. Most Mira Costa High students pass or exceed state standards, though there is also a sizable portion of students who fail to meet state standards.
English/Language Arts Test Results (2015)
Read more about what’s measured in each ELA area score here.
Math
The other major test taken for state assessments is Math. Across the state, Math performance is generally lower than English/Language Arts performance, so it's natural for this number to be lower.
At Mira Costa High School, 52% of students meet or exceed state standards in Math. This is considered well below average and puts Mira Costa High in the bottom 25% of all high schools in California. The vast majority of Mira Costa High students don't meet state standards, and only a small percentage pass.
Math Test Results (2015)
Read more about what’s measured in each Math area score, go here.
Academic Offerings
In addition to the standard high school curriculum, many high schools like Mira Costa High School offer advanced coursework as part of the Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.
Brief Intro to AP/IB
AP and IB courses are designed at the difficulty level of college introductory classes. There are several important benefits to taking advanced coursework at Mira Costa High. First, taking more advanced classes shows colleges that you're committed to challenging yourself academically, and that you're one of the more advanced students at Mira Costa High. Taking AP/IB classes also raises your weighted GPA and makes you a stronger college applicant.
Furthermore, many colleges will accept your Mira Costa High AP/IB coursework as college coursework. In some cases, you'll be able to skip introductory-level classes and move to more advanced classes. In other cases, you'll be able to avoid having to take required courses and might even be able to graduate earlier than the standard 4 years. Often this will require you to pass the AP test, getting a score of 3 or above.
So what advanced courses does Mira Costa High School offer?
AP Courses
Mira Costa High School offers AP courses in 22 subjects.
This is a huge number of AP subjects, putting Mira Costa High School in the top 5% of California schools in AP offerings. You'll be able to choose from the most popular AP courses as well as your pick of broader interests.
The total number of AP subjects is 38, so Mira Costa High is missing some subjects, but these are likely the least popular subjects, like some foreign languages and the new AP Research and Seminar courses. If there are any AP courses you want to take that aren't being offered at Mira Costa High, ask your counselor for other options.
Of course, keep in mind that quantity doesn't automatically mean quality - it's important that the courses are taught well by effective teachers. But the strong AP program at Mira Costa High likely means the classes are of high quality.
The following AP courses were offered at Mira Costa High during 2015-2016:
| Course Title |
|---|
| Art History |
| Biology |
| Calculus AB |
| Calculus BC |
| Chemistry |
| Computer Science A |
| English Literature and Composition |
| Environmental Science |
| European History |
| French Language and Culture |
| Microeconomics |
| Music Theory |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
| Physics C: Mechanics |
| Psychology |
| Spanish Language and Culture |
| Statistics |
| Studio Art: 2-D Design |
| Studio Art: 3-D Design |
| Studio Art: Drawing |
| United States Government and Politics |
| United States History |
Sports Teams
Finally, we'll cover which sports teams are available at Mira Costa High School. Sports are an integral part of many students' high school experiences. The more sports that are available, and the more levels supported (Frosh, JV, Varsity), the more likely you'll be able to participate in a sport at Mira Costa High.
By the way, the Mira Costa High mascot is the Mustangs. Go Mustangs!
Mira Costa High School fields 22 teams for girls' sports. This is an impressively high number that puts Mira Costa High in the top 10% of California schools that offer girls' sports. If you're a female, you'll have plenty of options of sports and levels to try out for. Furthermore, schools that offer more teams typically have a strong sports culture and field competitive teams.
And now for the boys: Mira Costa High School fields 27 teams for boys' sports. Clearly Mira Costa High has a strong sports culture - Mira Costa High is in the top 10% of California schools that offer boys' sports. Boys will find plenty of options of sports at different levels to try out for. Because more teams usually also means more resources devoted to sports, you can also expect Mira Costa High sports teams to be competitive.
| Boys Teams | Girls Teams |
|---|---|
| Lacrosse
Var
JV
|
Lacrosse
Var
JV
|
| Basketball
Var
JV
Fr
|
Basketball
Var
JV
Fr
|
| Golf
Var
|
Golf
Var
|
| Tennis
Var
|
Tennis
Var
JV
|
| Football
Var
JV
Fr
|
|
| Wrestling
Var
|
|
| Volleyball
Var
JV
Fr
|
Volleyball
Var
JV
Fr
|
| Baseball
Var
JV
Fr
|
|
| Softball
Var
JV
|
|
| Waterpolo
Var
JV
Fr
|
Waterpolo
Var
JV
|
| Trackfield
Var
|
Trackfield
Var
|
| Crosscountry
Var
|
Crosscountry
Var
|
| Soccer
Var
JV
Fr
|
Soccer
Var
JV
Fr
|
| Fieldhockey
Var
|
What’s Next?
Want to get more useful information about high school classes and preparing for colleges? Our blog has a ton of articles and advice on topics ranging from coursework and GPA to letters of recommendation, extracurriculars, and much more!
Ready to bulk up your schedule and maximize your college preparedness? Read all about the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
Not quite in high school yet, but eager to get started? We've also got information for younger students interested in advanced learning opportunities, both in and out of school.
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Sources
The data on this page is drawn from a variety of sources, including (but not limited to):
- National Center for Educational Statistics CCD 2013-2014
- "Free or reduced price lunch: A proxy for poverty?", NCES Blog
- CRDC 2011-2012 school year data
- California Department of Education SAT, ACT, and AP Test Results
- California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System Results
- AP Course Ledger
- IBO.org