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Elementary Schools in South San Francisco, California: 6 schools. Average score 10.1 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data6 schools · avg 34.7/100

South San Francisco, California has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 34.7/100 — 10.1 points below the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Buri Buri Elementary at 58/100, where 37.5% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. South San Francisco schools average 14.3% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 17.0% (near the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
34.7
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
45.3
12.7 – 58.0
Avg Exceeded %
14.3%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
17.0%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
6
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary6Developing
34.7/100
14.3%-10.1
High3Developing
39.7/100
17.1%-4.0
Middle3Developing
40.2/100
18.0%-2.5

How South San Francisco schools compare

South San Francisco has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 34.7/100 — 10.1 points below the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Buri Buri Elementary with a Scope Score of 58 and 37.5% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in South San Francisco averages 17.0% — near 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 San Francisco

1 Solid Base1 Culture First4 Building Momentum

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

For the data nerds

Every school in South San Francisco

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Buri Buri Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Solid Base
37.5%Solid
58/100
2El Camino High
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
30.4%Solid
58/100
3Westborough Middle
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
24.1%Developing
48/100
4Ponderosa Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Culture First
20.6%Developing
47/100
5South San Francisco High
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
20.0%Developing
46/100
6Alta Loma Middle
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
21.2%Developing
45/100
7Sunshine Gardens Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
13.3%Developing
43/100
8Spruce Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
6.6%Needs Support
29/100
9Parkway Heights Middle
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
8.7%Needs Support
28/100
10Martin Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
3.9%Needs Support
19/100
11Baden High (Continuation)
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
1.1%Needs Support
16/100
12Los Cerritos Elementary
South San Francisco Unified Building Momentum
3.7%Needs Support
13/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 12 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 San Francisco

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.

St. Veronica Catholic School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 276 students
20:1Private
All Souls Catholic Elementary School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 235 students
21:1Private
Hillside Christian Academy
Christian (unspecified) · Grades Pre-K-6 · 62 students
8:1Private
Shiloh United School
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-11 · 46 students
8:1Private
Mills Montessori
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-2 · 45 students
5:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about South San Francisco

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 San Francisco good?
South San Francisco's 6 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 34.7/100, which is 10.1 points below the state average. 14.3% 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 San Francisco?
The highest-scoring elementary school in South San Francisco is Buri Buri Elementary with a Scope Score of 58/100 and 37.5% 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 San Francisco schools compare to the state average?
South San Francisco elementary schools average a Scope Score of 34.7/100 — 10.1 points below the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 14.3% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 17.0% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in South San Francisco?
South San Francisco has 6 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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