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Excellent

#468 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 5% in state

Mira Catalina Elementary

Elementary School · Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified

30511 Lucania Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Enrollment

370

Student-Teacher

23.1:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rancho Palos Verdes

#1 of 10

public schools

California elementary schools

#350 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 17

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Mira Catalina Elementary

Mira Catalina Elementary is a public elementary school in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, part of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified. The school serves approximately 370 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 23.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 95.1th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 79% proficiency in math, 39 points above the state average and 83% in reading/language arts, 37 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $175,212, where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

What's said publicly about Mira Catalina Elementary

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Mira Catalina Elementary School is led by Principal Rafael Bernal 1 . The school's stated goal is for every student to experience success, balancing rigorous instruction with a focus on the whole child to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving 1 . The school offers enriching programs including music, physical education, and technology, supported by dedicated teachers, the PTA, and the Peninsula Education Foundation 1 . Recent activities and events documented for the 2023-24 school year include a Harvest festival, a Lunar Kindness assembly, Red Ribbon Week, and a Garden event 1 . Specific calendar items include a minimum day and a 5th-grade promotion ceremony on June 5, a 5th-grade fun day on June 4, and a 5th-grade field trip to the California Science Center and IMAX theater on May 29 1 . Additionally, a 3rd-grade nature hike was scheduled for May 29 1 . The school promotes spirit wear for the 2023-24 school year and encourages students to be a 'Superstar' each day 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. miracatalina.pvpusd.net
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Mira Catalina Elementary is 23.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84%
Math vs. State Avg+34.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+41.2 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,859

Mira Catalina Elementary — Students at Mira Catalina Elementary score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

8.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 78.8%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 82.7%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
80.5%
ELA
84.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.

How Mira Catalina Elementary Compares

See how Mira Catalina Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
95th percentile in CA
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
9%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

30511 Lucania Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mira Catalina Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Seventh Street Elementary Arts Integration Magnet (rated 8.9/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Pedro), with a very similar rating. Another option is Crestwood Street STEAM Magnet (rated 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Park Western Place Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby San Pedro), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rancho Palos Verdes, see our Rancho Palos Verdes schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Miraleste Intermediate Rancho Palos Verdes 1.0 mi 8.1
South Shores/CSUDH Visual and Performing Arts San Pedro 1.4 mi 6.9
Seventh Street Elementary Arts Integration Magnet San Pedro 1.4 mi 8.9
Crestwood Street STEAM Magnet Rancho Palos Verdes 1.5 mi 8.2
BRIGHTER DAYS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Palos Verdes 1.4 mi
Ernest P. Willenberg Special Education Center San Pedro 1.5 mi 7.0
Christ Lutheran Church and School Rancho Palos Verdes 1.8 mi
Rancho del Mar High (Continuation) Rolling Hills 1.9 mi 6.2
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Rancho Palos Verdes 1.9 mi 5.4
Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle Rancho Palos Verdes 2.1 mi 8.4
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL San Pedro 1.9 mi 7.2
Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy Rolling Hills 2.0 mi 3.4
Park Western Place Elementary San Pedro 2.0 mi 7.8
Dapplegray Elementary Rolling Hills Estates 2.4 mi 7.2
White Point Elementary San Pedro 2.3 mi 6.0
Bandini Street Elementary San Pedro 2.1 mi 6.7
San Pedro Senior High San Pedro 2.2 mi 8.6
Leland Street Elementary San Pedro 2.3 mi 5.6
NEW HORIZONS CHILD DEVMNT CENTER Rolling Hills Estates 2.6 mi
Peninsula Heritage School Rolling Hills Estates 2.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90275 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$175,212

Median Home Value

$1,543,300

Median Rent

$3,501/mo

Population

41,367

College Educated

69.2%

Homeownership

80.6%

Avg Commute

34.3 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

49.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mira Catalina Elementary has a median household income of $175,212. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,543,300, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Adelante Charter Santa Barbara, CA 8.7
Alamo Elementary San Francisco, CA 8.7
Arminta Street Elementary North Hollywood, CA 8.7
Bowers Elementary Santa Clara, CA 8.7
Canalino Elementary Carpinteria, CA 8.7
Castille Elementary Mission Viejo, CA 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mira Catalina Elementary

What grades does Mira Catalina Elementary serve?

Mira Catalina Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Mira Catalina Elementary?

Mira Catalina Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 370 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mira Catalina Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Mira Catalina Elementary is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mira Catalina Elementary rank in CA?

Mira Catalina Elementary is ranked #468 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Mira Catalina Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Mira Catalina Elementary has a composite rating of 8.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Mira Catalina Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mira Catalina Elementary has 78.8% math proficiency and 82.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mira Catalina Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Mira Catalina Elementary a Title I school?

No, Mira Catalina Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mira Catalina Elementary?

8.6% of students at Mira Catalina 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (988/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rancho Palos Verdes). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
8.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified
District Enrollment
10,393
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,077
District Rank
#2 of 17

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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