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Elementary Schools in San Luis Obispo, California

Above Average2024–25 data10 schools · avg 49.7/100

San Luis Obispo, California has 10 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 49.7/100 — 5.9 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is San Luis Obispo High at 70/100, where 36.3% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. San Luis Obispo schools average 25.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 23.5% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
49.7
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
44.4
25.4 – 69.7
Avg Exceeded %
25.7%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
23.5%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
10
With Scope Scores

How San Luis Obispo schools compare

San Luis Obispo's 10 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 49.7 — 5.9 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 25.4 to 69.7, a 44.4-point spread.

The top-ranked school is San Luis Obispo High with a Scope Score of 70 and 36.3% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling schools: San Luis Obispo schools average 25.7% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just getting students to proficiency, they're pushing them further.

Chronic absenteeism in San Luis Obispo averages 23.5%, which is below 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 San Luis Obispo

3 Strong All-Around2 Culture First5 Building Momentum

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

Schools in San Luis Obispo ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1San Luis Obispo High
San Luis Coastal Unified Building Momentum
36.3%Solid
70/100
2Los Ranchos Elementary
San Luis Coastal Unified Strong All-Around
43.5%Solid
62/100
3Sinsheimer Elementary
San Luis Coastal Unified Strong All-Around
39.3%Solid
59/100
4Bishop's Peak Elementary
San Luis Coastal Unified Strong All-Around
38.0%Solid
59/100
5C L Smith Elementary
San Luis Coastal Unified Building Momentum
36.2%Solid
58/100
6Pacheco Elementary
San Luis Coastal Unified Culture First
28.4%Solid
54/100
7Hawthorne Elementary
San Luis Coastal Unified Building Momentum
31.7%Developing
45/100
8Pacific Beach High
San Luis Coastal Unified Building Momentum
1.6%Developing
34/100
9Grizzly ChalleNGe Charter
San Luis Obispo County Office of Educati Culture First
1.9%Developing
32/100
10San Luis Obispo County Community
San Luis Obispo County Office of Educati Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
25/100

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.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about San Luis Obispo

  • 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 San Luis Obispo good?
San Luis Obispo's 10 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 49.7/100, which is 5.9 points above the California state average of 43.8. 25.7% 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 San Luis Obispo?
The highest-scoring elementary school in San Luis Obispo is San Luis Obispo High with a Scope Score of 70/100 and 36.3% 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 San Luis Obispo schools compare to the state average?
San Luis Obispo elementary schools average a Scope Score of 49.7 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (5.9 points above). The exceeded rate averages 25.7% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 23.5% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 25.4 to 69.7, a 44.4-point spread.
How many schools are in San Luis Obispo?
San Luis Obispo has 10 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.