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Elementary Schools in South Pasadena, California: South Pasadena schools aren't just reaching proficiency — they're pushing students beyond it.

Above Average2024–25 data3 schools · avg 78.3/100

South Pasadena, California has 3 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 78.3/100 — 33.5 points above the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Marengo Elementary at 84/100, where 66.9% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. South Pasadena schools average 59.6% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 3 schools, 3 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 4.9% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
78.3
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
9.2
74.7 – 83.9
Avg Exceeded %
59.6%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
4.9%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
3
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary3Strong
78.3/100
59.6%+33.5
High1Strong
76.1/100
55.2%+32.4
Middle1Strong
81.9/100
58.0%+39.3

How South Pasadena schools compare

South Pasadena has 3 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 78.3/100 — 33.5 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Marengo Elementary with a Scope Score of 84 and 66.9% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. South Pasadena schools average 59.6% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.

Chronic absenteeism in South Pasadena averages 4.9% — 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 South Pasadena

3 High Ceiling

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

For the data nerds

Every school in South Pasadena

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Marengo Elementary
South Pasadena Unified High Ceiling
66.9%Strong
84/100
2South Pasadena Middle
South Pasadena Unified High Ceiling
58.0%Strong
82/100
3Monterey Hills Elementary
South Pasadena Unified High Ceiling
52.0%Strong
76/100
4South Pasadena Senior High
South Pasadena Unified High Ceiling
55.2%Strong
76/100
5Arroyo Vista Elementary
South Pasadena Unified High Ceiling
59.8%Strong
75/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 5 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 South Pasadena

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.

Holy Family Catholic School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 305 students
21:1Private
Almansor Academy (institute for Redesign of Learni
Nonsectarian · Grades 1 · 136 students
10:1Private
Irl - Westmoreland Academy
Nonsectarian · Grades 2-12 · 95 students
10:1Private
St. James Parish Day School & Kindergarten
Church of God · Grades Pre-K · 8 students
8:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about South Pasadena

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 South Pasadena good?
South Pasadena's 3 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 78.3/100, which is 33.5 points above the state average. 59.6% 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 South Pasadena?
The highest-scoring elementary school in South Pasadena is Marengo Elementary with a Scope Score of 84/100 and 66.9% 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 Pasadena schools compare to the state average?
South Pasadena elementary schools average a Scope Score of 78.3/100 — 33.5 points above the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 59.6% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 4.9% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in South Pasadena?
South Pasadena has 3 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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