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Elementary Schools in Pacifica, California: Pacifica schools average 7.1 points above the state — but the range is 23.8 points wide.

Above Average2024–25 data5 schools · avg 51.9/100

Pacifica, California has 5 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 51.9/100 — 7.1 points above the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Vallemar Elementary at 60/100, where 35.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Pacifica schools average 25.0% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 13.0% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
51.9
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
23.8
36.1 – 59.9
Avg Exceeded %
25.0%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
13.0%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
5
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary5Solid
51.9/100
25.0%+7.1
High2Solid
58.4/100
26.9%+14.7
Middle1Developing
48.1/100
24.9%+5.5

How Pacifica schools compare

Pacifica has 5 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 51.9/100 — 7.1 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Vallemar Elementary with a Scope Score of 60 and 35.6% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Pacifica averages 13.0% — 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 Pacifica

3 Culture First1 Strong All-Around1 Building Momentum

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

For the data nerds

Every school in Pacifica

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Oceana High
Jefferson Union High Strong All-Around
32.5%Solid
60/100
2Vallemar Elementary
Pacifica Strong All-Around
35.6%Solid
60/100
3Terra Nova High
Jefferson Union High Building Momentum
21.2%Solid
57/100
4Ocean Shore Elementary
Pacifica Culture First
23.1%Solid
55/100
5Cabrillo Elementary
Pacifica Culture First
23.3%Solid
55/100
6Ortega Elementary
Pacifica Culture First
28.9%Solid
54/100
7Ingrid B. Lacy Middle
Pacifica Building Momentum
24.9%Developing
48/100
8Sunset Ridge Elementary
Pacifica Building Momentum
13.9%Developing
36/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 8 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 Pacifica

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.

Pacific Bay Christian School
Brethren · Grades 5-12 · 185 students
8:1Private
Good Shepherd Elementary School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 160 students
17:1Private
Montessori School of Linda Mar Inc
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-TK · 6 students
2:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Pacifica

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 Pacifica good?
Pacifica's 5 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 51.9/100, which is 7.1 points above the state average. 25.0% 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 Pacifica?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Pacifica is Vallemar Elementary with a Scope Score of 60/100 and 35.6% 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 Pacifica schools compare to the state average?
Pacifica elementary schools average a Scope Score of 51.9/100 — 7.1 points above the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 25.0% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 13.0% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Pacifica?
Pacifica has 5 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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