Elementary Schools in Pacifica, California: Pacifica schools average 7.9 points above the state — but the range is 25.5 points wide.
Pacifica, California has 5 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 46.8/100 — 7.9 points above the state average of 38.9. The highest-scoring school is Vallemar Elementary at 56/100, where 35.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Pacifica schools average 25.0% exceeded standard (state: 21.4%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction shows how many students go beyond the standard rather than only meeting it. Chronic absenteeism averages 13.0% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
Start with your child’s school level
The overview describes elementary schools. The lists below separate elementary, middle and high schools, so each school’s standing stays within its own comparison group. Open a profile to see the underlying results, student support and questions to ask on a visit.
Every school in Pacifica
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP · levels never mixed
Elementary Schools (5)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vallemar Elementary Pacifica | 35.6% | 84th percentile · StrongScope Score 56/100 |
| 2 | Ortega Elementary Pacifica | 28.9% | 76th percentile · StrongScope Score 49/100 |
| 3 | Ocean Shore Elementary Pacifica | 23.1% | 75th percentile · StrongScope Score 49/100 |
| 4 | Cabrillo Elementary Pacifica | 23.3% | 75th percentile · SolidScope Score 49/100 |
| 5 | Sunset Ridge Elementary Pacifica | 13.9% | 36th percentile · DevelopingScope Score 30/100 |
Middle Schools (1)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ingrid B. Lacy Middle Pacifica | 24.9% | 69th percentile · SolidScope Score 44/100 |
High Schools (2)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oceana High Jefferson Union High | 32.5% | 82nd percentile · StrongScope Score 66/100 |
| 2 | Terra Nova High Jefferson Union High | 21.2% | 75th percentile · StrongScope Score 62/100 |
Free to download, CC BY 4.0 with attribution.
Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology
Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.
Elementary school archetypes in Pacifica
Hidden gems: 1 school in Pacifica is classified as On the Rise — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Private Schools in Pacifica
Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.
Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology