Best Schools in Pacifica, California
15 schools · 8 Elementary · 1 Middle · 6 High
Choosing a school in Pacifica?
Use this page to compare every school in Pacifica 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.
Ingrid B. Lacy Middle
Middle · Pacifica. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Pacific Bay Christian School
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Oceana High
High · Jefferson Union High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pacifica for 2026 are Ingrid B. Lacy Middle (8.4/10), Pacific Bay Christian School (8.2/10), and Oceana High (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 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
15
9 public · 6 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$1,211,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
15
9 public · 6 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$1,211,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.4/10 despite 21% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.6 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Pacifica schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +4.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Pacifica schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Pacifica
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (11 of 15). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ingrid B. Lacy Middle | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Pacific Bay Christian School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Oceana High | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Terra Nova High | 7.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Ocean Shore Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Vallemar Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Pacific Bay Christian School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Ortega Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 9 | Good Shepherd Elementary School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Cabrillo Elementary | 6.0 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $156,658
- Median home value
- $1,211,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 49%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
64% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pacifica compares
California rank
#161 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$157k
157% of California median
Schools in this city
11
About Schools in Pacifica, California
Pacifica, California is home to 15 schools, including 9 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 6 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Pacifica 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 Pacifica is Ingrid B. Lacy Middle with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pacifica is served by 2 school districts: Jefferson Union High, Pacifica. These districts collectively serve 6,443 students.
Pacifica's community shows 49% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $156,658. The poverty rate in the area is 6.2%.
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
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 401 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 519 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 402 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 4 | 534 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.0 | ||
| 5 | 380 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.9 | ||
| 6 | 19 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Good Shepherd Elementary School
Private
160 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.4 | ||
| 2 | 6 students · Pre-K–TK | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 469 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 |
High Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 491 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 697 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Pacific Bay Christian School
Private
185 students · 5th–12th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | Pacific Bay Christian School
Private
185 students · 5th–12th | 7.4 | ||
| 3 | Spectrum Center Peninsula Campus
Private
22 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 4 | Pacific Bay Christian School
Private
178 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Pacifica
Pacifica, California · 15 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$156,658
Median Home Value
$1,211,700
Median Rent
$3,075/mo
Population
37,540
College Educated
49%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Community Profile
Pacifica has a median household income of $156,658. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,211,700, with a median rent of $3,075/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 8
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 6
Resources
School Districts (2)
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 Pacifica, California
How many schools are in Pacifica, California?
Pacifica has 15 schools, including 9 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pacifica, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pacifica is 7.0 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 Pacifica, California?
The top-ranked school in Pacifica on MySchoolScout is Ingrid B. Lacy Middle with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pacifica, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pacifica on MySchoolScout is Ocean Shore Elementary with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Pacifica, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Pacifica on MySchoolScout is Ingrid B. Lacy Middle with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best high school in Pacifica, California?
The top-ranked high school in Pacifica on MySchoolScout is Pacific Bay Christian School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Pacifica, California?
Pacifica is served by 2 school districts: Jefferson Union High, Pacifica.
What is the education level in Pacifica, California?
According to Census data, 49% of adults in Pacifica have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pacifica, California?
The median household income in Pacifica is approximately $156,658 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pacifica, California?
Yes, Pacifica has 6 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Pacific Bay Christian School with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pacifica, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pacifica is 15.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pacifica, 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.