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Elementary Schools in Half Moon Bay, California: 2 schools. Average score 6.5 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data2 schools · avg 38.3/100

Half Moon Bay, California has 2 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 38.3/100 — 6.5 points below the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is El Granada Elementary at 47/100, where 24.2% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Half Moon Bay schools average 16.3% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 15.1% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
38.3
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
16.4
30.1 – 46.5
Avg Exceeded %
16.3%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
15.1%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
2
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary2Developing
38.3/100
16.3%-6.5
High1Solid
51.6/100
10.6%+7.9
Middle1Developing
38.7/100
13.6%-4.0

How Half Moon Bay schools compare

Half Moon Bay has 2 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 38.3/100 — 6.5 points below the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is El Granada Elementary with a Scope Score of 47 and 24.2% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Half Moon Bay averages 15.1% — below the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

School archetypes in Half Moon Bay

1 Culture First1 Building Momentum

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

For the data nerds

Every school in Half Moon Bay

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Half Moon Bay High
Cabrillo Unified Building Momentum
10.6%Solid
52/100
2El Granada Elementary
Cabrillo Unified Building Momentum
24.2%Developing
47/100
3Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate
Cabrillo Unified Building Momentum
13.6%Developing
39/100
4Alvin S. Hatch Elementary
Cabrillo Unified Culture First
8.5%Developing
30/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 4 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

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 Half Moon Bay

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.

Sea Crest School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-8 · 233 students
9:1Private
Main Street Scholars
Nonsectarian · Grades 6-12 · 15 students
5:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Half Moon Bay

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

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Half Moon Bay good?
Half Moon Bay's 2 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 38.3/100, which is 6.5 points below the state average. 16.3% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Half Moon Bay?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Half Moon Bay is El Granada Elementary with a Scope Score of 47/100 and 24.2% 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 Half Moon Bay schools compare to the state average?
Half Moon Bay elementary schools average a Scope Score of 38.3/100 — 6.5 points below the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 16.3% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 15.1% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Half Moon Bay?
Half Moon Bay has 2 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 seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline 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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