Top Rankings
Pacifica School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 2,640 students in Pacifica School District. This district's average testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in Pacifica School District have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the California public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
7 Schools
10,323 Schools
# Students
2,640 Students
5,788,587 Students
# Teachers
123 Teachers
267,491 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Pacifica School District, which is ranked #346 of all 1,903 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Overall District Rank
#365 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
29%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)19.4%
27.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.73
0.63
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
1%
Showing 1999–2009. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
% Asian
16%
12%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
26%
56%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
1%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
39%
20%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
17%
6%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,246 in this school district is less than the state median of $26,022. The school district revenue/student has grown by 20% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,814 is less than the state median of $22,604. The school district spending/student has grown by 28% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$51 MM
$150,628 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$58 MM
$130,845 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$19,246
$26,022
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$21,814
$22,604
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Pacifica School District Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cabrillo Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
601 Crespi Dr.
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6660
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6660
Gr: K-8 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #22.
Vallemar Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
377 Reina Del Mar Ave.
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6655
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6655
Gr: K-8 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #33.
Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1427 Palmetto Ave.
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6665
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6665
Gr: 6-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #44.
Ocean Shore Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
411 Oceana Blvd.
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6650
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6650
Gr: K-8 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #55.
Ortega Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1283 Terra Nova Blvd.
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6670
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6670
Gr: K-5 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #66.
Pacifica Independent Home Study
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1283 Terra Nova Blvd
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6670
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6670
Gr: K-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #77.
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
340 Inverness Dr.
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6687
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6687
Gr: K-5 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Pacifica School District?
Pacifica School District manages 7 public schools serving 2,640 students.
What is the rank of Pacifica School District?
Pacifica School District is ranked #346 out of 1,903 school districts in California (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%) and Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Pacifica School District?
39% of Pacifica School District students are White, 26% of students are Hispanic, 17% of students are Two or more races, 16% of students are Asian, 1% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Pacifica School District?
Pacifica School District has a student/teacher ratio of 21:1, which is lower than the California state average of 22:1.
What is Pacifica School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $21,814 is less than the state median of $22,604. The school district spending/student has grown by 28% over four school years.
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
