Very Good
#2515 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 26% in state
Terra Nova High
High School · Jefferson Union High · Pacifica, CA
A Jefferson Union High high school where students score 17 points below what's typical for similar communities.
1450 Terra Nova Blvd., Pacifica, CA 94044
- Math 41% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 54% vs CA 52% (2024)
- 92.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at Terra Nova High score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 16 points across the 16-year record (2009–2024) and has held near 48% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 53% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 66% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
17.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Terra Nova High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the San Francisco Bay Area map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 20Car-Dependent
- Bike 8Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated1,457/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Pacifica), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$156,658
Median home value
$1,211,700
Median rent
$3,075/mo
College educated
48.5%
Homeownership
68.4%
Poverty rate
6.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 94044; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Bay Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | 6–12 | 1.1 mi | 178 | Compare → |
| Pacific Bay Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 8.2 | 5–12 | 1.1 mi | 185 | Compare → |
| Pacific Bay Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.4 | 5–12 | 1.1 mi | 185 | Compare → |
| Spectrum Center Peninsula CampusPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K–12 | 1.4 mi | 22 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Jefferson Union High
- Schools in district
- 5
- Rank in district
- #3 of 5
- District spending per student
- $22,123NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 7.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
Terra Nova High is listed in Jefferson Union High; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Terra Nova High
Terra Nova High is a public high school in Pacifica, CA, part of Jefferson Union High, serving approximately 697 students in grades 9th-12th with a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,515 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Terra Nova High
What grades does Terra Nova High serve?
Terra Nova High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Terra Nova High?
Terra Nova High has an enrollment of approximately 697 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Terra Nova High?
The student-teacher ratio at Terra Nova High is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Terra Nova High rank in CA?
Terra Nova High ranks #2,515 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Terra Nova High's MySchoolScout rating?
Terra Nova High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Terra Nova High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Terra Nova High has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Terra Nova High a charter school?
No, Terra Nova High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Terra Nova High a Title I school?
No, Terra Nova High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Terra Nova High?
17.9% of students at Terra Nova High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 697
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Mateo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.9%
- Phone
- (650) 550-7600
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
- Area population (ZIP 94044)
- 37,540
- Area average commute
- 28.3 min
- Area median age
- 44.3
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 94044; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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