Is Ortega Elementary a good school?

Ortega Elementary ranks 1823 rd of 5862 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Ortega Elementary?

In the 2023-24 school year, 402 students attended Ortega Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Ortega Elementary?

Students at Ortega Elementary are 49% White, 23% Hispanic, 18% Two or more races, 8% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Ortega Elementary attend?

Students who attend Ortega Elementary usually go on to attend: Middle : Ingrid B. Lacy Middle High : Terra Nova High

Ortega Elementary

Summary:

Ortega Elementary is a public elementary school located in Pacifica, California, serving 427 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Pacifica School District, which is ranked 323 out of 1,568 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Ortega Elementary has some areas of strength, it faces several key challenges compared to its peers. The school's test scores in English Language Arts and Mathematics are generally lower than the Pacifica district and California state averages across grade levels and years. For example, in 2023-2024, Ortega Elementary's English Language Arts proficiency rate was 46.11%, compared to 53.4% for the Pacifica district and 47.04% for the state. The school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism, which has risen from 4.9% in 2020-2021 to 21.2% in 2022-2023, notably higher than the 14.1% rate at the nearby Vallemar Elementary.

Interestingly, Ortega Elementary's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups, with the school ranking much higher for female students than male students in 2023-2024. The school also struggles with the performance of White and Multi-racial students compared to other subgroups. While the school's relatively low percentage of free and reduced lunch recipients suggests that socioeconomic factors may not be the primary driver of the academic challenges, the high chronic absenteeism rate may be a contributing factor to the school's lower performance compared to nearby schools like Cabrillo Elementary and Portola Elementary.

Detail:

Public K-5

1283 Terra Nova Blvd.
Pacifica, CA 94044-4341

(650) 738-6670

District: Pacifica

SchoolDigger Rank:
1823^rd of 5,862 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $5,682

Students who attend Ortega Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Ingrid B. Lacy Middle
High:	Terra Nova High

Student/teacher ratio: 22.3

Number of students: 402

Racial breakdown:

White:

49.3%

Hispanic:

23.1%

Two or more races:

18.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 14.9%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Ortega Elementary ranks better than 68.9% of elementary schools in California. It also ranks 4^th among 5 ranked elementary schools in the Pacifica School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 64.86. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Ortega Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (49.3%), Hispanic (23.1%), two or more races (18.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 14.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ortega Elementary is 22.3. 3 elementary schools in the Pacifica School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Ortega Elementary employs 18 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ortega Elementary is $5,682. 4 elementary schools in the Pacifica School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ortega Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Ortega Elementary 1823^rd of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See Ortega Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Multi-racial students:

Special Education students:

Female students:

Male students:

Hispanic students:

White students:

Pacifica:

SchoolDigger ranks Pacifica 323^rd of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Ortega Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Ortega Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2007	54.68	2079^th	5113	59.3%
2008	49.87	2377^th	5113	53.5%
2009	52.43	2335^th	5193	55.0%
2010	65.12	1715^th	5314	67.7%
2011	78.60	1078^th	5377	80.0%
2012	75.30	1255^th	5390	76.7%
2013	70.15	1567^th	5530	71.7%
2015	84.90	887^th	5611	84.2%
2016	72.21	1429^th	5614	74.5%
2017	64.68	1814^th	5692	68.1%
2018	76.09	1312^th	5662	76.8%
2019	81.51	1097^th	5789	81.1%
2021	71.86	366^th	1417	74.2%
2022	64.74	1822^nd	5883	69.0%
2023	71.23	1528^th	5874	74.0%
2024	64.86	1823^rd	5862	68.9%

See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Ortega Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	35.13	257^th	339	24.2%
2022	57.77	299^th	610	51.0%
2023	47.22	409^th	669	38.9%
2024	33.74	497^th	669	25.7%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Ortega Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	46.81	1070^th	2634	59.4%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Ortega Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	52.65	2194^th	5084	56.8%
2019	71.15	1128^th	5173	78.2%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Ortega Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	81.23	979^th	5413	81.9%
2019	81.90	991^st	5492	82.0%
2021	75.49	286^th	1267	77.4%
2022	70.28	1511^th	5635	73.2%
2023	71.35	1446^th	5617	74.3%
2024	75.40	1271^st	5605	77.3%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Ortega Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	67.81	1573^rd	5431	71.0%
2019	77.99	1173^rd	5510	78.7%
2021	64.44	406^th	1272	68.1%
2022	55.95	2151^st	5663	62.0%
2023	68.34	1578^th	5650	72.1%
2024	52.30	2350^th	5636	58.3%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Ortega Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	63.44	1469^th	4830	69.6%
2019	64.14	1453^rd	4963	70.7%
2022	50.04	2199^th	5084	56.7%
2023	69.25	1210^th	5098	76.3%
2024	58.40	1758^th	5102	65.5%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Ortega Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	61.04	1167^th	2737	57.4%
2019	66.68	951^st	2834	66.4%
2022	39.34	1755^th	2726	35.6%
2023	41.27	1684^th	2662	36.7%
2024	39.59	1713^th	2647	35.3%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Thus far, I give Ortega Elementary 5-stars not for being technologically advanced or academically rigorous, but for being well-organized and efficient. It is said that great management starts at the top, and works its way downward. I believe Debra Skiles, school principal, is directly responsible for creating an excellent climate for making learning fun. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Ortega Elementary

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2005	287	7	46	63	0	n/a	n/a	60	463
2006	276	7	47	72	0	n/a	n/a	45	447
2007	271	7	45	57	3	n/a	n/a	52	435
2008	264	2	39	58	4	n/a	n/a	0	367
2009	274	6	37	64	7	4	56	0	448
2010	289	1	36	116	4	3	36	0	485
2011	273	2	26	121	5	3	41	0	471
2012	259	3	24	109	6	2	51	0	454
2013	292	3	28	120	5	1	57	0	506
2014	306	3	29	118	4	0	57	0	517
2015	301	1	36	109	4	1	61	0	513
2016	290	0	40	111	4	1	70	0	516
2017	283	1	31	114	3	0	72	0	504
2018	266	1	38	122	2	0	75	0	504
2019	247	1	29	120	1	2	81	0	481
2020	249	1	27	114	0	1	90	0	482
2021	217	2	29	106	0	1	82	0	437
2022	195	3	20	107	0	1	83	0	409
2023	207	3	31	101	1	2	82	0	427
2024	198	2	32	93	1	3	73	0	402

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ortega Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	463	23.0	20.1	17.6
2006	447	21.9	20.4	16.9
2007	435	22.8	19.1	14.9
2008	367	27.0	13.6	16.9
2009	448	21.0	18.2	13.6
2010	485	24.0	20.2	16.1
2011	471	n/a	n/a	17
2012	454	19.7	22.9	n/a
2013	506	21.6	23.3	16.2
2014	517	21.6	23.9	17.8
2015	513	22.0	23.3	15
2016	516	22.0	23.4	13
2017	504	21.0	24.0	10.5
2018	504	19.6	25.7	13.1
2019	481	19.6	24.5	14.1
2020	482	n/a	n/a	12.2
2021	437	20.6	21.2	11
2022	409	20.0	20.4	9.8
2023	427	19.0	22.4	12.2
2024	402	18.0	22.3	14.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ortega Elementary

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	463	23.0	20.1	17.6
2006	447	21.9	20.4	16.9
2007	435	22.8	19.1	14.9
2008	367	27.0	13.6	16.9
2009	448	21.0	18.2	13.6
2010	485	24.0	20.2	16.1
2011	471	n/a	n/a	17
2012	454	19.7	22.9	n/a
2013	506	21.6	23.3	16.2
2014	517	21.6	23.9	17.8
2015	513	22.0	23.3	15
2016	516	22.0	23.4	13
2017	504	21.0	24.0	10.5
2018	504	19.6	25.7	13.1
2019	481	19.6	24.5	14.1
2020	482	n/a	n/a	12.2
2021	437	20.6	21.2	11
2022	409	20.0	20.4	9.8
2023	427	19.0	22.4	12.2
2024	402	18.0	22.3	14.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

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