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Ventura Unified

Near Average2024–25 data26 schools · avg 44.6/100

Ventura Unified has 26 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 44.6/100 — 0.8 points near the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Foothill Technology High at 75/100, where 39.6% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $12,949 per student (below the state average of $14,815). 2 schools show positive growth trajectories. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.3%, near the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
44.6
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
51.5
23.2 – 74.7
Avg Exceeded %
19.0%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
18.3%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
26
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryDeveloping
41.9/100
1718.4%16.8%
MiddleDeveloping
42.9/100
418.7%15.9%
HighSolid
54.8/100
521.1%25.6%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Ventura Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
41.9
avg score · 17 schools
Mound Elementary
Solid
61/100
+14 more elementary schools
Middle
42.9
avg score · 4 schools
Cabrillo Middle
Solid
51/100
Balboa Middle
Developing
41/100
+1 more middle schools
High
54.8
avg score · 5 schools
Ventura High
Solid
61/100
El Camino High
Solid
58/100
+2 more high schools

District Analysis

Strongest level: Ventura Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 54.8.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -0.7pp (state avg: -3.0pp), growth is essentially flat.

Consistency: Score range of 51.5 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 18.3%, 0.2pp near the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 2.2%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Foothill Technology High leads the district at 75 with 39.6% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Ventura Unified

5 On the Rise4 Culture First2 Strong All-Around2 Growth Engine13 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 7 schools in Ventura Unified are classified as On the Rise (5) or Growth Engine (2) — 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

Hispanic
56.0%
White
35.1%
Asian
2.5%
Black
1.3%
Other
5.2%
Free/Reduced Lunch
58%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Ventura Unified spends $12,949 per student in current expenditures — $1,866 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$12,949
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
15,871
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 15%
$11,262 → $12,949
Spending Efficiency
3.44
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 59%Support 37%Other 4%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$58,866–$117,409
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
709
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (17)

Ventura Unified has 17 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 41.9 — 1.8 points near the state average of 43.8.

Growth is essentially flat at -0.7pp.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Pierpont Elementary with a Scope Score of 62 and 34.9% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Pierpont Elementary
Ventura Unified Growth Engine
34.9%Solid
62/100
2Mound Elementary
Ventura Unified Growth Engine
33.6%Solid
61/100
3Poinsettia Elementary
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
27.7%Solid
54/100
4Loma Vista Elementary
Ventura Unified Culture First
34.1%Solid
54/100
5Portola Elementary
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
27.2%Developing
48/100
6Junipero Serra Elementary
Ventura Unified Culture First
19.3%Developing
47/100
7Academy of Technology & Leadership at Saticoy
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
17.6%Developing
42/100
8Will Rogers Elementary
Ventura Unified Culture First
18.2%Developing
39/100
9Montalvo Elementary
Ventura Unified Culture First
17.4%Developing
38/100
10Juanamaria Elementary
Ventura Unified On the Rise
15.2%Developing
38/100
11Elmhurst Elementary
Ventura Unified On the Rise
8.6%Developing
36/100
12Sunset Elementary
Ventura Unified On the Rise
9.8%Developing
35/100
13Citrus Glen Elementary
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
14.0%Developing
34/100
14Lemon Grove
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
14.6%Developing
34/100
15Lincoln Elementary
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
9.3%Developing
33/100
16E. P. Foster Elementary
Ventura Unified On the Rise
7.8%Developing
33/100
17Sheridan Way Elementary
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
4.3%Needs Support
23/100

Middle Schools (4)

Ventura Unified has 4 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 42.9 — 2.5 points above the state average of 40.5.

Growth averages -1.6pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring middle school is Cabrillo Middle with a Scope Score of 51 and 23.2% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Cabrillo Middle
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
23.2%Solid
51/100
2Balboa Middle
Ventura Unified On the Rise
17.2%Developing
41/100
3De Anza Academy of Technology and the Arts
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
19.6%Developing
41/100
4Anacapa Middle
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
14.8%Developing
38/100

High Schools (5)

Ventura Unified has 5 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 54.8 — 7.3 points above the state average of 47.5. 1 of 5 high schools score above 70.

The highest-scoring high school is Foothill Technology High with a Scope Score of 75 and 39.6% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Foothill Technology High
Ventura Unified Strong All-Around
39.6%Strong
75/100
2Ventura High
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
21.6%Solid
61/100
3El Camino High
Ventura Unified Strong All-Around
27.9%Solid
58/100
4Buena High
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
13.9%Solid
51/100
5Pacific High
Ventura Unified Building Momentum
2.5%Needs Support
29/100

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 Ventura 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

Frequently asked questions

Is Ventura Unified a good school district?
Ventura Unified has 26 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 44.6/100, which is 0.8 points near the California state average of 43.8. 19.0% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Ventura Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Ventura Unified is Foothill Technology High with a Scope Score of 75/100 and 39.6% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Ventura Unified spend per student?
Ventura Unified spends $12,949 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in Ventura Unified?
Teacher salaries in Ventura Unified range from $58,866–$117,409 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.