Below Average
#8465 of 9,533 schools in CA
Ortega Elementary
Elementary School · Pacifica
1283 Terra Nova Blvd., Pacifica, CA 94044
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pacifica
#8 of 8
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,030 of 5,817
In district
#6 of 6
Pacifica
About Ortega Elementary
Ortega Elementary, located in Pacifica, California, is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 402 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.3:1, the school provides a manageable learning environment. Ortega Elementary has 18 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse student body.
The academic performance at Ortega Elementary is reflected in a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #4336 out of 9,566 schools in California, placing it around the 55th percentile. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 50%, while Math proficiency stands at 54%. These scores indicate areas where the school has room for improvement but also highlight the hard work and dedication of teachers and students.
Ortega Elementary is situated in a large suburban area, offering a supportive community setting. The surrounding neighborhood fosters a nurturing environment for learning and growth, with opportunities for students to engage in various extracurricular activities beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ortega Elementary is 22.3:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Ortega Elementary — Students at Ortega Elementary score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.6/10.
How Ortega Elementary Compares
See how Ortega Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 52.22% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 46.11% (2024).
Location
1283 Terra Nova Blvd., Pacifica, CA 94044
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ortega Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Monte Verde Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby San Bruno), which scores notably higher. Another option is Portola Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby San Bruno), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Farallone View Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Montara), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pacifica, see our Pacifica schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Terra Nova High Pacifica | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| PACIFIC BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pacifica | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| PACIFIC BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pacifica | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Pacific Bay Christian School Pacifica | 0.8 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LINDA MAR INC Pacifica | 1.1 mi | — |
| Pacifica Independent Home Study Pacifica | 1.1 mi | — |
| Spectrum Center Peninsula Campus Pacifica | 1.1 mi | — |
| Cabrillo Elementary Pacifica | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Vallemar Elementary Pacifica | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Portola Elementary San Bruno | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| HIGHLANDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Bruno | 3.0 mi | 4.7 |
| John Muir Elementary San Bruno | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Oceana High Pacifica | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Ingrid B. Lacy Middle Pacifica | 3.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Farallone View Elementary Montara | 3.4 mi | 8.2 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pacifica | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Wings Learning Center San Bruno | 3.5 mi | — |
| Monte Verde Elementary San Bruno | 3.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Stratford School - San Bruno Crestmoor Canyon San Bruno | 3.5 mi | — |
| STRATFORD SCHOOL San Bruno | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$156,658
Median Home Value
$1,211,700
Median Rent
$3,075/mo
Population
37,540
College Educated
48.5%
Homeownership
68.4%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Median Age
44.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ortega Elementary has a median household income of $156,658. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,211,700, with a median rent of $3,075/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Aspire Juanita Tate Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 4.4 |
| Aspire University Charter Modesto, CA | 4.4 |
| Bay View Academy Monterey, CA | 4.4 |
| Bobier Elementary Vista, CA | 4.4 |
| Calvert Charter for Enriched Studies Woodland Hills, CA | 4.4 |
| Capitol Collegiate Academy Sacramento, CA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ortega Elementary
What grades does Ortega Elementary serve?
Ortega Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Ortega Elementary?
Ortega Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 402 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ortega Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ortega Elementary is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ortega Elementary rank in CA?
Ortega Elementary is ranked #8465 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ortega Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ortega Elementary has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Ortega Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ortega Elementary has 54.3% math proficiency and 50.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ortega Elementary a charter school?
No, Ortega Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ortega Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ortega Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ortega Elementary?
14.9% of students at Ortega 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,457/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pacifica). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 402
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 14.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Mateo County
- Phone
- (650) 738-6670
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pacifica- District Enrollment
- 2,737
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,430
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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