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Schools in 94080 — South San Francisco, California

94080 has 12 ranked schools averaging 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.

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%
Chronic Absenteeism
18.8%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
12
With Scope Scores

How 94080 schools perform

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

Chronic absenteeism across 94080 averages 18.8%, near the state average of 18.1%.

How 94080 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 94080
94080South San Francisco12Developing
38.7/100
94085Sunnyvale3Developing
42.5/100
+3.8
94086Sunnyvale4Solid
52.0/100
+13.3
94087Sunnyvale9Strong
73.3/100
+34.6

School archetypes in 94080

2 On the Rise1 Solid Base1 Growth Engine1 Culture First7 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 3 schools in 94080 are classified as On the Rise (2) or Growth Engine — 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

All schools in 94080

#SchoolExceededScore
1El Camino High
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
30.4%Solid
65/100
2Buri Buri Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Solid Base
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 Growth Engine
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 On the Rise
13.3%Developing
40/100
8Parkway Heights Middle
South San Francisco Unified On the Rise
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

Schools in 94080 on the map

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 94080

  • 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.