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Needs Improvement

#9044 of 9,539 schools in CA

Los Cerritos Elementary

Elementary School · South San Francisco Unified

210 West Orange Ave., South San Francisco, CA 94080

Enrollment

305

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,044 of 9,539

In South San Francisco

#11 of 12

public schools

In district

#14 of 15

South San Francisco Unified

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Los Cerritos Elementary

3.5/10

Elementary School in South San Francisco · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South San Francisco High

6.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St Veronica Catholic School

6.0/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Los Cerritos Elementary

Los Cerritos Elementary is a public elementary school in South San Francisco, CA, part of South San Francisco Unified. Los Cerritos Elementary serves approximately 305 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Los Cerritos Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #9,044 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Los Cerritos Elementary show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.7
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Los Cerritos Elementary runs 20.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

43% of students at Los Cerritos Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-26 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.9 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-16.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,850
Chronic Absenteeism42.6%

Los Cerritos Elementary — Students at Los Cerritos Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 34.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 36.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
35.6%
ELA
34.4%
2024
Math
19.7%
ELA
26.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.

How Los Cerritos Elementary Compares

See how Los Cerritos Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
5th percentile in CA
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.5/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.6%

Location

210 West Orange Ave., South San Francisco, CA 94080

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Los Cerritos Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Buri Buri Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MILLS MONTESSORI (rated 6.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in South San Francisco, see our South San Francisco schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
South San Francisco High South San Francisco 0.2 mi 6.9
ST VERONICA CATHOLIC SCHOOL South San Francisco 0.4 mi 6.0
St. Veronica Catholic School South San Francisco 0.4 mi
Ponderosa Elementary South San Francisco 0.5 mi 5.8
Baden High (Continuation) South San Francisco 0.5 mi 5.6
Building Kidz South San Francisco 0.6 mi
Parkway Heights Middle South San Francisco 0.8 mi 5.5
SHILOH UNITED SCHOOL South San Francisco 0.8 mi 5.1
ALL SOULS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South San Francisco 0.8 mi 5.8
Spruce Elementary South San Francisco 0.8 mi 3.5
HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY South San Francisco 1.1 mi 6.7
Sunshine Gardens Elementary South San Francisco 1.1 mi 4.7
MILLS MONTESSORI South San Francisco 1.3 mi 6.3
Buri Buri Elementary South San Francisco 1.1 mi 6.8
Martin Elementary South San Francisco 1.3 mi 3.9
El Camino High South San Francisco 1.3 mi 8.1
Alta Loma Middle South San Francisco 1.5 mi 6.8
Wings Learning Center San Bruno 1.7 mi
STRATFORD SCHOOL San Bruno 1.9 mi 6.2
Stratford School - San Bruno Crestmoor Canyon San Bruno 1.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$135,966

Median Home Value

$1,159,500

Median Rent

$2,840/mo

Population

65,036

College Educated

40.1%

Homeownership

60.8%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

42.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Apple Valley Virtual Academy Apple Valley, CA 3.5
Aspire Alexander Twilight College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA 3.5
BEATITUDES OF OUR LORD CATHOLIC SCHOOL La Mirada, CA 3.5
Edenvale Elementary San Jose, CA 3.5
Grant Elementary San Jose, CA 3.5
Highland Elementary Richmond, CA 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Los Cerritos Elementary

What grades does Los Cerritos Elementary serve?

Los Cerritos Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Los Cerritos Elementary?

Los Cerritos Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 305 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Los Cerritos Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Los Cerritos Elementary is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Los Cerritos Elementary rank in CA?

Los Cerritos Elementary ranks #9,044 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Los Cerritos Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Los Cerritos Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Los Cerritos Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Los Cerritos Elementary has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Los Cerritos Elementary a charter school?

No, Los Cerritos Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Los Cerritos Elementary a Title I school?

No, Los Cerritos Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Los Cerritos Elementary?

60.7% of students at Los Cerritos Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
83 Very Walkable
Bike Score
75 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
305
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
San Mateo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.6%

District

South San Francisco Unified
District Enrollment
7,770
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,850
District Rank
#14 of 15

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