Atascadero Unified
Atascadero Unified has 11 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 42.0/100 — 1.8 points near the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Atascadero High at 53/100, where 23.9% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $11,955 per student (below the state average of $14,815). 1 school shows positive growth trajectories. Chronic absenteeism averages 24.6%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Avg Score | Schools | Exceeded | Absent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Developing 43.0/100 | 6 | 22.1% | 15.6% |
| Middle | Developing 42.0/100 | 2 | 18.2% | 20.0% |
| High | Developing 40.0/100 | 3 | 14.1% | 45.4% |
K–12 pipeline
The typical school path in Atascadero Unified, top-scoring shown first.
District Analysis
Strongest level: Atascadero Unified's elementary schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 43.0.
Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -4.8pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.
Consistency: Score range of 33.0 points — showing significant variation between schools.
Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 24.6%, 6.4pp below the state average of 18.1%.
Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 4.0%, below the state average of 1.7%.
Top school: Atascadero High leads the district at 53 with 23.9% exceeding standard.
How we score · Scope Score methodology
School archetypes in Atascadero Unified
Hidden gems: 3 schools in Atascadero Unified 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
Student demographics
District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data
District Funding
Atascadero Unified spends $11,955 per student in current expenditures — $2,860 below the state average of $14,815.
Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020
Teacher compensation
CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25
Elementary Schools (6)
Atascadero Unified has 6 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 43.0 — 0.8 points near the state average of 43.8.
Growth averages -4.8pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring elementary school is Monterey Road Elementary with a Scope Score of 52 and 29.2% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monterey Road Elementary Atascadero Unified Building Momentum | 29.2% | Solid 52/100 |
| 2 | Santa Margarita Elementary Atascadero Unified Culture First | 25.0% | Solid 51/100 |
| 3 | San Gabriel Elementary Atascadero Unified On the Rise | 27.3% | Developing 48/100 |
| 4 | San Benito Elementary Atascadero Unified Building Momentum | 19.3% | Developing 41/100 |
| 5 | Creston Elementary Atascadero Unified Building Momentum | 19.2% | Developing 38/100 |
| 6 | Santa Rosa Road Academic Academy Atascadero Unified On the Rise | 12.3% | Needs Support 28/100 |
Middle Schools (2)
Atascadero Unified has 2 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 42.0 — 1.6 points near the state average of 40.5.
District-wide growth averages +4.9pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.
The highest-scoring middle school is Fine Arts Academy with a Scope Score of 47 and 17.7% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fine Arts Academy Atascadero Unified Growth Engine | 17.7% | Developing 47/100 |
| 2 | Atascadero Middle Atascadero Unified Building Momentum | 18.6% | Developing 37/100 |
High Schools (3)
Atascadero Unified has 3 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 40.0 — 7.5 points below the state average of 47.5.
The highest-scoring high school is Atascadero High with a Scope Score of 53 and 23.9% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atascadero High Atascadero Unified Building Momentum | 23.9% | Solid 53/100 |
| 2 | Atascadero Choices in Education Academy (ACE) Atascadero Unified Building Momentum | 15.5% | Developing 48/100 |
| 3 | Paloma Creek High Atascadero Unified Building Momentum | 2.9% | Needs Support 20/100 |
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 Atascadero Unified
- 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 resources are distributed across schools within the district
Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology