Best Schools in Pismo Beach, California
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Pismo Beach?
Use this page to compare every school in Pismo Beach 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.
Shell Beach Elementary
Elementary · Lucia Mar Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Judkins Middle
Middle · Lucia Mar Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Coastal Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pismo Beach for 2026 are Shell Beach Elementary (7.6/10), Judkins Middle (7.1/10), and Coastal Christian School (4.6/10), 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
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$992,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$992,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +2.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Pismo Beach schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Pismo Beach
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 | Shell Beach Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Judkins Middle | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Coastal Christian School | 4.6 / 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $112,913
- Median home value
- $992,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 50%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Pismo Beach compares
California rank
#280 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$113k
113% of California median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Pismo Beach, California
Pismo Beach, California is home to 3 schools, including 2 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Pismo Beach show moderate performance 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 Pismo Beach is Shell Beach Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pismo Beach is served by 1 school district: Lucia Mar Unified. These districts collectively serve 9,621 students.
Pismo Beach's community shows 50% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $112,913. The poverty rate in the area is 8.1%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 347 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.6 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 450 students · 7th–8th | 7.1 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coastal Christian School
Private
348 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.6 |
Schools in Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach, California · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$112,913
Median Home Value
$992,900
Median Rent
$2,298/mo
Population
8,024
College Educated
50%
Homeownership
67%
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Community Profile
Pismo Beach has a median household income of $112,913. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $992,900, with a median rent of $2,298/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- Other
- 1
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 Pismo Beach, California
How many schools are in Pismo Beach, California?
Pismo Beach has 3 schools, including 2 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pismo Beach, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pismo Beach is 6.4 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 Pismo Beach, California?
The top-ranked school in Pismo Beach on MySchoolScout is Shell Beach Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pismo Beach, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pismo Beach on MySchoolScout is Shell Beach Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Pismo Beach, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Pismo Beach on MySchoolScout is Judkins Middle with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Pismo Beach, California?
Pismo Beach is served by 1 school district: Lucia Mar Unified.
What is the education level in Pismo Beach, California?
According to Census data, 50% of adults in Pismo Beach have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pismo Beach, California?
The median household income in Pismo Beach is approximately $112,913 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pismo Beach, California?
Yes, Pismo Beach has 1 private school alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is Coastal Christian School with a score of 4.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pismo Beach, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pismo Beach is 18.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pismo Beach, 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.