This La Mesa institution is a center for worship and religious education, with a sizable library. The church…More sanctuary seats a couple of hundred congregants on folding chairs; renovations are in progress for the interior.</p> <p>The associated middle school is open for enrollment as well.</p>

La Mesa-Spring Valley School District oversees a total of 21 elementary and middle schools and covers 26 square…More miles with an annual budget of $101 million. It offers free pre-school programs at two La Mesa campuses -- La Mesa Dale and Northmont Elementary -- for families who meet income and other eligibility criteria.</p> <p>The La Mesa-Spring Valley Educational Foundation holds an annual Casino Night to raise funds "to help bridge the gap between what would be ideal and  what is real in the classroom by providing funding for special projects, known as mini-grants, to enhance the educational experience."</p>

The Mountain Empire School District charters this school, which opened for the first time in September 2010. It…More includes students from Jamul, Santee, Lemon Grove and San Diego. The school occupies the lower level of the Church of Christ.</p> <p>The school has uniforms, but they are not mandated and there is a parent-teacher association. The school also partners with the La Mesa library to provide a bookmobile twice a month.</p>

La Mesa-Spring Valley School District oversees a total of 21 elementary and middle schools and covers 26 square…More miles with an annual budget of $101 million. It offers free pre-school programs at two La Mesa campuses -- La Mesa Dale and Northmont Elementary -- for families who meet income and other eligibility criteria.</p> <p>The La Mesa-Spring Valley Educational Foundation holds an annual Casino Night to raise funds "to help bridge the gap between what would be ideal and  what is real in the classroom by providing funding for special projects, known as mini-grants, to enhance the educational experience."</p>

Thanks to Proposition D, a bond issue approved by La Mesans in 2004, the Police Department moved into a…More 45,000-square-foot, $20 million headquarters in September 2010.</p> <p>Police Chief Al Lanning oversees a force of 68 sworn officers, 30 non-sworn personnel and 50-60 members of the RSVP, or Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol, and other volunteers. </p> <p>The Police Department offers an SRO (school resource officer) for elementary and middle schools in La Mesa and assigns a full-time SRO to Helix Charter High School.</p> <p>The department's website links to My Neighborhood Update, a Google Maps-based display of reported incidents in La Mesa.</p> <p>Police also help with animal control, and promote Neighborhood Watch and Kidz Watch, a free safety academy for children 6-11. In addition, the Crime Free Multi-Housing crime-prevention program targets  La Mesa apartment complexes.</p>

The school slogan here is "Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day," and Principal Beth Thomas says students are placed…More in "targeted classes" for math and language arts.</p> <p>Levels are classified as Benchmark (advanced and proficient students), Strategic (up to two years below grade level) and Intensive (more than two years below grade level). But, she says, "students are able to move between the levels if their performance warrants this change."</p> <p>The PTSA sponsors assemblies, offers rewards and incentives for student achievement, finances the annual Renaissance Day and even pays for some classroom supplies, such as paper. Other PTSA events include 6th Grade Family Picnic and a Back to School Night BBQ.</p> <p>For a fee, La Mesa's ESS (extended school services) offers after-school recreational and educational activities.</p> <p>Parents are invited to  informal monthly gatherings with Thomas and  counselors, where school updates are given and questions can be answered. This bustling school features an outdoor amphitheater for assemblies.</p>