Best Schools in Half Moon Bay, California
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Half Moon Bay?
Use this page to compare every school in Half Moon Bay 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.
EL Granada Elementary
Elementary · Cabrillo Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate
Middle · Cabrillo Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Half Moon Bay High
High · Cabrillo Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Half Moon Bay for 2026 are EL Granada Elementary (8.3/10), Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate (7.2/10), and Half Moon Bay High (5.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
8
5 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$1,509,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
5 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$1,509,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Half Moon Bay schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Half Moon Bay
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 rated schools; 8 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | EL Granada Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Half Moon Bay High | 5.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Alvin S. Hatch Elementary | 4.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) | 3.9 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $153,272
- Median home value
- $1,509,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 54%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Half Moon Bay compares
California rank
#409 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$153k
154% of California median
Schools in this city
6
Cabrillo Unified runs Half Moon Bay's public schools
5 public schools. Cabrillo Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Half Moon Bay is a Cabrillo Unified school (5 of 5).
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.9 to 8.3 — the spread is inside Half Moon Bay, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Half Moon Bay, California
Half Moon Bay, California is home to 8 schools, including 5 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Half Moon Bay show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Half Moon Bay is EL Granada Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Half Moon Bay is served by 1 school district: Cabrillo Unified. These districts collectively serve 2,663 students.
Half Moon Bay's community shows 54% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $153,272. The poverty rate in the area is 6.8%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 335 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 541 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.5 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sea Crest SchoolPrivate 280 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 26 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 542 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 987 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 2 | 41 students · 9th–12th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Main Street ScholarsPrivate 5 students · 8th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay, California · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$153,272
Median Home Value
$1,509,300
Median Rent
$1,977/mo
Population
14,754
College Educated
54%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Community Profile
Half Moon Bay has a median household income of $153,272. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,509,300, with a median rent of $1,977/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
Resources
School District
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 Half Moon Bay, California
How many schools are in Half Moon Bay, California?
Half Moon Bay has 8 schools, including 5 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Half Moon Bay, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Half Moon Bay is 6.0 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 Half Moon Bay, California?
The top-ranked school in Half Moon Bay on MySchoolScout is EL Granada Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Half Moon Bay, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Half Moon Bay on MySchoolScout is EL Granada Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Half Moon Bay, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Half Moon Bay on MySchoolScout is Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best high school in Half Moon Bay, California?
The top-ranked high school in Half Moon Bay on MySchoolScout is Half Moon Bay High with a composite score of 5.4/10.
How many school districts serve Half Moon Bay, California?
Half Moon Bay is served by 1 school district: Cabrillo Unified.
What is the education level in Half Moon Bay, California?
According to Census data, 54% of adults in Half Moon Bay have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Half Moon Bay, California?
The median household income in Half Moon Bay is approximately $153,272 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Half Moon Bay, California?
Yes, Half Moon Bay has 3 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sea Crest School with a score of 6.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Half Moon Bay, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Half Moon Bay is 18.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Half Moon Bay, 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 School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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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.