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Average

#4706 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 49% in state

Ortega Elementary

Elementary School · Pacifica

1283 Terra Nova Blvd., Pacifica, CA 94044

Enrollment

402

Student-Teacher

22.3:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,706 of 9,539

In Pacifica

#6 of 8

public schools

In district

#4 of 6

Pacifica

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Ortega Elementary

6.4/10

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

Terra Nova High

7.5/10

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

Pacific Bay Christian School

8.2/10

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

About Ortega Elementary

Ortega Elementary is a public elementary school in Pacifica, CA, part of Pacifica. Ortega Elementary serves approximately 402 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Ortega Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #4,706 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Ortega Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Ortega Elementary runs 22.3:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.25 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-16.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,430
Chronic Absenteeism22.6%

Ortega Elementary — Students at Ortega Elementary score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 59.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 55.0% (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
70%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
54%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
50%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
61%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
46.2%
2024
Math
52.2%
ELA
46.2%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Ortega Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in CA
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
6.0/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

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 9.0/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby San Bruno), which scores notably higher. Another option is Farallone View Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Montara), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vallemar Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away), 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 7.5
PACIFIC BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pacifica 0.8 mi 8.2
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 6.0
Vallemar Elementary Pacifica 1.9 mi 7.5
Portola Elementary San Bruno 2.9 mi 7.5
HIGHLANDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Bruno 3.0 mi 4.7
John Muir Elementary San Bruno 2.9 mi 6.8
Oceana High Pacifica 3.5 mi 7.8
Ingrid B. Lacy Middle Pacifica 3.5 mi 8.4
Farallone View Elementary Montara 3.4 mi 7.7
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 9.0
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach, CA 6.4
BASIS INDEPENDENT FREMONT Fremont, CA 6.4
Bellevue Elementary Santa Rosa, CA 6.4
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pacific Palisades, CA 6.4
Cabrillo Avenue Elementary San Pedro, CA 6.4
Captain Leland Norton Elementary San Bernardino, CA 6.4

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 ranks #4,706 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Ortega Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ortega Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Ortega Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ortega Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

District

Pacifica
District Enrollment
2,737
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,430
District Rank
#4 of 6

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