Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics3.9Fair33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-19.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness6.5Above Average40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio41:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,702

Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) — Students at Pilarcitos Alternative High (continuation) score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores CA EDFACTS (2018-19)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

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.

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in CA
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
41:1 student-teacher ratio
1 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cabrillo Unified
District Enrollment
2,663
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,816
District Rank
#6 of 7

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

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.