Best Schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California
3 schools · 3 Elementary
Choosing a school in Cardiff-by-the-sea?
Use this page to compare every school in Cardiff-by-the-sea by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cardiff Elementary
Elementary · Cardiff Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ada W. Harris Elementary
Elementary · Cardiff Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Village Gate Children's Academy
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea for 2026 are Cardiff Elementary (8.2/10), Ada W. Harris Elementary (8.0/10), and Village Gate Children's Academy (6.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$1,808,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$1,808,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Ada W. Harris Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Village Gate Children's Academy | 6.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $165,063
- Median home value
- $1,808,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 69%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 61%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Cardiff-by-the-sea compares
California rank
#82 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$165k
166% of California median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California
Cardiff-by-the-sea, California is home to 3 schools, including 2 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools.
With an average rating of 7.5 out of 10, schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Cardiff-by-the-sea is Cardiff Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Cardiff-by-the-sea is served by 1 school district: Cardiff Elementary. These districts collectively serve 649 students.
Cardiff-by-the-sea's community shows 69% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $165,063. The poverty rate in the area is 13.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 267 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 382 students · 3rd–6th | 8.0 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Village Gate Children's Academy
Private
118 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.2 | ||
Schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea
Cardiff-by-the-sea, California · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$165,063
Median Home Value
$1,808,200
Median Rent
$2,955/mo
Population
11,764
College Educated
69%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Community Profile
Cardiff-by-the-sea has a median household income of $165,063. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,808,200, with a median rent of $2,955/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 3
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California
How many schools are in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California?
Cardiff-by-the-sea has 3 schools, including 2 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea is 7.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California?
The top-ranked school in Cardiff-by-the-sea on MySchoolScout is Cardiff Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Cardiff-by-the-sea on MySchoolScout is Cardiff Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Cardiff-by-the-sea, California?
Cardiff-by-the-sea is served by 1 school district: Cardiff Elementary.
What is the education level in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California?
According to Census data, 69% of adults in Cardiff-by-the-sea have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California?
The median household income in Cardiff-by-the-sea is approximately $165,063 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California?
Yes, Cardiff-by-the-sea has 1 private school alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is Village Gate Children's Academy with a score of 6.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea is 18.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cardiff-by-the-sea, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.