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Elementary Schools in South San Francisco, California

Below Average2024–25 data12 schools · avg 38.7/100

South San Francisco, California has 12 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 38.7/100 — 5.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is El Camino High at 65/100, where 30.4% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. South San Francisco schools average 15.9% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.8% (near the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
38.7
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
47.9
16.7 – 64.7
Avg Exceeded %
15.9%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
18.8%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
12
With Scope Scores

How South San Francisco schools compare

South San Francisco's 12 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 38.7 — 5.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 16.7 to 64.7, a 47.9-point spread.

The top-ranked school is El Camino High with a Scope Score of 65 and 30.4% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in South San Francisco averages 18.8%, which is near the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in South San Francisco

1 Strong All-Around1 Culture First10 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Schools in South San Francisco ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1El Camino High
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
30.4%Solid
65/100
2Buri Buri Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Strong All-Around
37.5%Solid
61/100
3South San Francisco High
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
20.0%Solid
51/100
4Westborough Middle
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
24.1%Developing
48/100
5Ponderosa Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Culture First
20.6%Developing
47/100
6Alta Loma Middle
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
21.2%Developing
44/100
7Sunshine Gardens Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
13.3%Developing
40/100
8Parkway Heights Middle
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
8.7%Needs Support
28/100
9Spruce Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
6.6%Needs Support
27/100
10Martin Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
3.9%Needs Support
20/100
11Baden High (Continuation)
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
1.1%Needs Support
18/100
12Los Cerritos Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
3.7%Needs Support
17/100

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.

Private Schools in South San Francisco

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.

St. Veronica Catholic School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 276 students
20:1Private
All Souls Catholic Elementary School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 235 students
21:1Private
Hillside Christian Academy
Christian (unspecified) · Grades Pre-K-6 · 62 students
8:1Private
Shiloh United School
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-11 · 46 students
8:1Private
Mills Montessori
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-2 · 45 students
5:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about South San Francisco

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in South San Francisco good?
South San Francisco's 12 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 38.7/100, which is 5.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. 15.9% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in South San Francisco?
The highest-scoring elementary school in South San Francisco is El Camino High with a Scope Score of 65/100 and 30.4% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do South San Francisco schools compare to the state average?
South San Francisco elementary schools average a Scope Score of 38.7 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (5.1 points below). The exceeded rate averages 15.9% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.8% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 16.7 to 64.7, a 47.9-point spread.
How many schools are in South San Francisco?
South San Francisco has 12 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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