Ventura Unified
Ventura Unified has 26 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 44.6/100 — 0.8 points near the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Foothill Technology High at 75/100, where 39.6% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $12,949 per student (below the state average of $14,815). 2 schools show positive growth trajectories. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.3%, near the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Avg Score | Schools | Exceeded | Absent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 41.9 | 17 | 18.4% | 16.8% |
| Middle | 42.9 | 4 | 18.7% | 15.9% |
| High | 54.8 | 5 | 21.1% | 25.6% |
K–12 pipeline
The typical school path in Ventura Unified, top-scoring shown first.
District Analysis
Strongest level: Ventura Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 54.8.
Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -0.7pp (state avg: -3.0pp), growth is essentially flat.
Consistency: Score range of 51.5 points — showing significant variation between schools.
Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 18.3%, 0.2pp near the state average of 18.1%.
Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 2.2%, near the state average of 1.7%.
Top school: Foothill Technology High leads the district at 75 with 39.6% exceeding standard.
How we score · Scope Score methodology
School archetypes in Ventura Unified
Hidden gems: 7 schools in Ventura Unified are classified as On the Rise (5) or Growth Engine (2) — 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
Student demographics
District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data
District Funding
Ventura Unified spends $12,949 per student in current expenditures — $1,866 below the state average of $14,815.
Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020
Teacher compensation
CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25
Elementary Schools (17)
Ventura Unified has 17 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 41.9 — 1.8 points near the state average of 43.8.
Growth is essentially flat at -0.7pp.
The highest-scoring elementary school is Pierpont Elementary with a Scope Score of 62 and 34.9% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Score | Exceeded | Met+ | Growth | Absent | Susp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pierpont Elementary Ventura Unified Growth Engine | 62 | 34.9% | 60.0% | +10.2pp | 16.8% | 0.2% |
| 2 | Mound Elementary Ventura Unified Growth Engine | 61 | 33.6% | 64.5% | +13.7pp | 9.9% | 0.5% |
| 3 | Poinsettia Elementary Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 54 | 27.7% | 56.5% | -17.1pp | 11.1% | 1.7% |
| 4 | Loma Vista Elementary Ventura Unified Culture First | 54 | 34.1% | 59.8% | -5.4pp | 14.5% | 1.0% |
| 5 | Portola Elementary Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 48 | 27.2% | 54.9% | -7.7pp | 21.3% | 2.8% |
| 6 | Junipero Serra Elementary Ventura Unified Culture First | 47 | 19.3% | 47.2% | -9.9pp | 9.6% | 1.2% |
| 7 | Academy of Technology & Leadership at Saticoy Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 42 | 17.6% | 40.8% | -8.4pp | 14.9% | 1.7% |
| 8 | Will Rogers Elementary Ventura Unified Culture First | 39 | 18.2% | 34.7% | -3.4pp | 11.7% | 0.6% |
| 9 | Montalvo Elementary Ventura Unified Culture First | 38 | 17.4% | 40.7% | -6.9pp | 14.0% | 0.3% |
| 10 | Juanamaria Elementary Ventura Unified On the Rise | 38 | 15.2% | 37.0% | +7.0pp | 13.5% | 1.2% |
| 11 | Elmhurst Elementary Ventura Unified On the Rise | 36 | 8.6% | 31.5% | +3.7pp | 21.8% | 1.5% |
| 12 | Sunset Elementary Ventura Unified On the Rise | 35 | 9.8% | 29.2% | +12.8pp | 15.9% | 1.6% |
| 13 | Citrus Glen Elementary Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 34 | 14.0% | 33.3% | -10.3pp | 16.7% | 1.8% |
| 14 | Lemon Grove Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 34 | 14.6% | 40.9% | -4.4pp | 27.1% | 3.5% |
| 15 | Lincoln Elementary Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 33 | 9.3% | 25.8% | -0.1pp | 24.7% | 0.6% |
| 16 | E. P. Foster Elementary Ventura Unified On the Rise | 33 | 7.8% | 21.9% | +12.0pp | 17.7% | 1.8% |
| 17 | Sheridan Way Elementary Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 23 | 4.3% | 14.9% | +1.8pp | 24.1% | 2.2% |
Middle Schools (4)
Ventura Unified has 4 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 42.9 — 2.5 points above the state average of 40.5.
Growth averages -1.6pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring middle school is Cabrillo Middle with a Scope Score of 51 and 23.2% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Score | Exceeded | Met+ | Growth | Absent | Susp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cabrillo Middle Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 51 | 23.2% | 51.5% | -1.1pp | 14.8% | 3.2% |
| 2 | Balboa Middle Ventura Unified On the Rise | 41 | 17.2% | 39.8% | +4.8pp | 12.8% | 5.2% |
| 3 | De Anza Academy of Technology and the Arts Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 41 | 19.6% | 37.8% | +1.6pp | 18.6% | 6.9% |
| 4 | Anacapa Middle Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 38 | 14.8% | 38.1% | -11.5pp | 17.4% | 5.0% |
High Schools (5)
Ventura Unified has 5 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 54.8 — 7.3 points above the state average of 47.5. 1 of 5 high schools score above 70.
The highest-scoring high school is Foothill Technology High with a Scope Score of 75 and 39.6% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Score | Exceeded | Met+ | Absent | Susp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foothill Technology High Ventura Unified Strong All-Around | 75 | 39.6% | 68.7% | 10.2% | 0.7% |
| 2 | Ventura High Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 61 | 21.6% | 42.1% | 17.7% | 1.3% |
| 3 | El Camino High Ventura Unified Strong All-Around | 58 | 27.9% | 52.9% | 17.2% | 0.7% |
| 4 | Buena High Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 51 | 13.9% | 37.7% | 16.0% | 1.0% |
| 5 | Pacific High Ventura Unified Building Momentum | 29 | 2.5% | 12.7% | 66.9% | 7.6% |
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.
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Ventura Unified
- 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 resources are distributed across schools within the district
Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology