Below Average
#8663 of 9,533 schools in CA
Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation)
High School · Cabrillo Unified
498 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
41:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
41:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Half Moon Bay
#4 of 5
public schools
California high schools
#1,801 of 1,892
In district
#6 of 7
Cabrillo Unified
About Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation)
Pilarcitos Alternative High (Continuation) is a small high school in Half Moon Bay, California, nestled on the outskirts of an urban area. The school caters to 41 students from grades 9 through 12 with just one full-time teacher, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 41:1. As an alternative continuation high school, Pilarcitos offers a specialized learning environment tailored for students who might benefit from a more personalized educational approach.
Academically, Pilarcitos has room for improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and state ranking of 8th percentile among California schools. Math and ELA proficiency rates are both at 25%, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development. While Pilarcitos Alternative High (Continuation) faces challenges in academic performance, it continues to provide a supportive setting for its students in Half Moon Bay’s tight-knit community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 41 students, Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) is 41:1, 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
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
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Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) — Students at Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores CA EDFACTS (2018-19)
Based on 2 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
How Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) Compares
See how Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
498 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Hillsborough (rated 9.2/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Hillsborough), which scores notably higher. Another option is Farallone View Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Montara), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ODYSSEY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Half Moon Bay, see our Half Moon Bay schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Alvin S. Hatch Elementary Half Moon Bay | 0.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate Half Moon Bay | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Our Lady of the Pillar Academy Half Moon Bay | 0.2 mi | — |
| Main Street Scholars Half Moon Bay | 0.4 mi | — |
| MAIN STREET SCHOLARS Half Moon Bay | 0.5 mi | — |
| SEA CREST SCHOOL Half Moon Bay | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Sea Crest School Half Moon Bay | 0.7 mi | — |
| Half Moon Bay High Half Moon Bay | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| El Granada Elementary Half Moon Bay | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Wilkinson School El Granada | 3.0 mi | — |
| WILKINSON SCHOOL El Granada | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Highlands Elementary San Mateo | 6.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Farallone View Elementary Montara | 6.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Margaret J. Kemp Redwood City | 6.3 mi | — |
| LA PETITE MONTESSORI SCHOOL LLC Hillsborough | 6.9 mi | — |
| West Hillsborough Hillsborough | 7.0 mi | 9.2 |
| Hillcrest at Youth Services Center Redwood City | 6.4 mi | — |
| ODYSSEY SCHOOL San Mateo | 6.8 mi | 7.5 |
| The Nueva School Hillsborough | 7.5 mi | — |
| THE NUEVA MIDDLE SCHOOL Hillsborough | 7.5 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94019 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$153,272
Median Home Value
$1,509,300
Median Rent
$1,977/mo
Population
14,754
College Educated
53.8%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
31.6 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Median Age
45.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) has a median household income of $153,272. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,509,300, with a median rent of $1,977/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Tioga High Groveland, CA | 4.2 |
| Moneta Continuation Gardena, CA | 4.3 |
| Monroe High (Continuation) Tehachapi, CA | 4.3 |
| Yosemite School Community Day (7-12) Manteca, CA | 4.1 |
| Bravo Lake High Woodlake, CA | 4.4 |
| Henry David Thoreau Continuation Woodland Hills, CA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation)
What grades does Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) serve?
Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation)?
Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation)?
The student-teacher ratio at Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) is 41:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) rank in CA?
Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) is ranked #8663 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation)'s MySchoolScout rating?
Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation)?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) a charter school?
No, Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) a Title I school?
No, Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation)?
53.7% of students at Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) 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
- County Safety
- Average (252/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 41
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 41:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.7%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- San Mateo County
- Phone
- (650) 712-7224
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cabrillo Unified- District Enrollment
- 2,663
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,816
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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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