Each level is scored on its own scale — elementary, middle, and high are never ranked against each other.
The elementary years
The elementary schools average 72.7/100 — 33.8 points above the state average, with 10 of 10 in the Strong band.
32 points separate the strongest and weakest of these 10 elementary schools — the average hides more than it tells.
Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary (89/100) holds the Strong band — 68.3% of its students exceed the state standard, against a level average of 56.3%. 1 school here ranks as a Growth Engine — returning cohorts gaining more than most schools statewide.
32 points separate the top and bottom elementary schools — the district average won't predict the school in front of you.
The middle years
The middle schools average 69.5/100 — 30.9 points above the state average, with 3 of 3 in the Strong band.
3 middle schools span 23 points around an average of 69.5.
Ridgecrest Intermediate (79/100) holds the Strong band — 56.4% of its students exceed the state standard, against a level average of 46.8%. 1 school classifies as Strong All-Around — no weak dimension we measure.
Only 3 campuses at this level — one school's year moves every number in this chapter.
The high school years
Consistently strong: all 2 high schools land within 4 points of each other, averaging 85.3/100 — 31.3 points above the state average.
All 2 high schools land within 4 points — the average is a fair summary here.
Palos Verdes Peninsula High (87/100) holds the Strong band — 57.8% of its students exceed the state standard, against a level average of 51.3%. 1 school classifies as Strong All-Around — no weak dimension we measure.
Only 2 campuses at this level — one school's year moves every number in this chapter.
What it means for your family
Compare schools at your child’s level before deciding on an address. The strongest attendance-zone candidate is Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary at 89/100 — confirm the exact boundary with the district before the house.
No charters or magnets among the ranked schools here, so the main lever is an intra-district transfer — California districts run them on their own windows and criteria. If your zoned school sits low in the appendix below, ask the district office for this year's dates.
A band is a position, not a prophecy — 1 campus here ranks as Growth Engine, its returning cohorts gaining more than most schools statewide. Ask your school two questions: what happens for a kid who arrives behind, and what the classroom looks like for one who arrives ahead.
The strongest-scoring run through the district:
Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary 99th percentile · StrongScope Score 89/100Ridgecrest Intermediate 97th percentile · StrongScope Score 79/100Palos Verdes Peninsula High 98th percentile · StrongScope Score 87/100
Top scorers at each level — not necessarily one zoned sequence. Confirm feeder patterns and enrollment zones with the district, and visit before you decide.
What this page can't see: whether a campus feels safe and glad at 8 a.m. If a path above looks workable, the next step is a visit.