Skip to main content

Excellent

#1001 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 11% 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

8.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,001 of 9,539

In Rancho Palos Verdes

#5 of 10

public schools

In district

#4 of 17

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified

Equity

9.7 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Mira Catalina Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Mira Catalina Elementary

8.4/10

Elementary School in Rancho Palos Verdes · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Miraleste Intermediate

7.0/10

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

South Shores/csudh Visual and Performing Arts

6.2/10

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

About Mira Catalina Elementary

Mira Catalina Elementary is a public elementary school in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, part of Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified. Mira Catalina Elementary serves approximately 370 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Mira Catalina Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,001 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Mira Catalina Elementary show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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
How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.1
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Mira Catalina Elementary runs 23.1:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+34.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+41.2 pts
Overall Proficiency82% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+12.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,077
Chronic Absenteeism19.2%

Mira Catalina Elementary — Students at Mira Catalina Elementary score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

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 75.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 80.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
64%
ELA
69%
2015
Math
66%
ELA
79%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
76.3%
ELA
75.7%
2024
Math
80.5%
ELA
84.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.

How Mira Catalina Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in CA
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
9%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Dapplegray Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Rolling Hills Estates), with a comparable rating. Another option is White Point Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby San Pedro), with a comparable rating. Additionally, HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby San Pedro), a more accessible option. 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 7.0
South Shores/CSUDH Visual and Performing Arts San Pedro 1.4 mi 6.2
Seventh Street Elementary Arts Integration Magnet San Pedro 1.4 mi 5.1
Crestwood Street STEAM Magnet Rancho Palos Verdes 1.5 mi 7.0
BRIGHTER DAYS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Palos Verdes 1.4 mi
Ernest P. Willenberg Special Education Center San Pedro 1.5 mi 4.3
Christ Lutheran Church and School Rancho Palos Verdes 1.8 mi
Rancho del Mar High (Continuation) Rolling Hills 1.9 mi 6.4
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Rancho Palos Verdes 1.9 mi 5.4
Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle Rancho Palos Verdes 2.1 mi 8.8
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL San Pedro 1.9 mi 7.2
Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy Rolling Hills 2.0 mi 2.7
Park Western Place Elementary San Pedro 2.0 mi 6.5
Dapplegray Elementary Rolling Hills Estates 2.4 mi 7.6
White Point Elementary San Pedro 2.3 mi 7.6
Bandini Street Elementary San Pedro 2.1 mi 5.7
San Pedro Senior High San Pedro 2.2 mi 8.2
Leland Street Elementary San Pedro 2.3 mi 5.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ada Clegg Elementary Huntington Beach, CA 8.4
Anaheim Hills Elementary Anaheim, CA 8.4
Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego, CA 8.4
Braly Elementary Sunnyvale, CA 8.4
Buena Vista Elementary Carlsbad, CA 8.4
C L Smith Elementary San Luis Obispo, CA 8.4

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 ranks #1,001 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Mira Catalina Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Mira Catalina Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Mira Catalina Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mira Catalina Elementary has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.2%

District

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

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.