Pacifica School District
School District · Pacifica, California
Avg Rating
6.0
out of 10
Schools
7
6 elem, 1 mid
Enrollment
2,737
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.7:1
Avg Rating
6.0
out of 10
Schools
7
6 elem, 1 mid
Enrollment
2,737
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.7:1
How this district compares
California rank
#431 of 713
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.3
below California avg
Per-pupil spending
$15,430
$2,217 vs California median
District size
2,737 students
Typical than California median
The short answer
Pacifica ranks #431 of 713 California districts by overall school rating. Pacifica's schools with real test data average 6.0/10 across 6 schools. Its top-rated schools are Ortega Elementary (7.4/10), Vallemar Elementary (6.3/10), and Ingrid B. Lacy Middle (6.2/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
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 rating using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ortega Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Vallemar Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Ingrid B. Lacy Middle | 6.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Sunset Ridge Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Ocean Shore Elementary | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Cabrillo Elementary | 4.7 / 10 |
See all 7 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Pacifica
Pacifica is a Pacifica, California school district serving 7 schools.The district educates 2,737 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.7:1. District-level spending was $15,430 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 6.0/10, Pacifica demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Ortega Elementary, which has a composite score of 7.4/10.
In standardized testing, Pacifica students show an average math proficiency of 53.8% and ELA proficiency of 56.6%.
The district includes 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
District Map
Schools in Pacifica, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Pacifica with test data.
Schools in Pacifica
7 schoolsDistrict Details
- State
- California
- City
- Pacifica
- Total Enrollment
- 2,737
- Teachers (FTE)
- 126
- District spending per student
- $15,430NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 4.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Pacifica?
Pacifica has 7 schools in total — 6 elementary, 1 middle. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Pacifica?
The average composite rating for Pacifica is 6.0/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Pacifica?
Pacifica's district-level spending was $15,430 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pacifica?
The average student-teacher ratio in Pacifica is 21.7:1.
What is the top-rated school in Pacifica?
Ortega Elementary is the highest-rated school in Pacifica with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What are the test scores in Pacifica?
Across schools in Pacifica with test data, the average math proficiency is 53.8% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 56.6%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Pacifica compare to other districts in California?
Pacifica has an average school rating of 6.0/10 across 7 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in California by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.0/10
- Math Proficiency
- 53.8%
- ELA Proficiency
- 56.6%
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 rateOther School Districts in CA
Compare Pacifica with neighboring districts in the state.
- Los Angeles Unified (785)
- San Diego Unified (175)
- San Francisco Unified (113)
- Fresno Unified (101)
- Long Beach Unified (82)
- Oakland Unified (82)
- San Bernardino City Unified (76)
- Sacramento City Unified (73)
- San Juan Unified (68)
- Elk Grove Unified (67)
- Garden Grove Unified (66)
- Capistrano Unified (59)
- Stockton Unified (54)
- West Contra Costa Unified (54)
- Corona-Norco Unified (53)
- Mt. Diablo Unified (52)
- Santa Ana Unified (52)
- Clovis Unified (50)
- Lodi Unified (49)
- Riverside Unified (49)
- Bakersfield City (45)
- Irvine Unified (45)
- Fontana Unified (44)
- Fremont Unified (44)
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.
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