Photo: BrokenSphere · CC BY-SA 3.0Colma’s public schools outscore 62% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Colma, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Colma’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 321 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Colma’s, its schools beat 40%, lower than their 62% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 33% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Jefferson Union High spends $23,810 per student and Jefferson Elementary $19,347, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Colma’s grade
B: better than 62% of California school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Colma, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Colma · depends on your address
Westmoor High
Grades 9–12 · 1,278 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Daly City
Jefferson High
Grades 9–12 · 1,072 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Daly City
Terra Nova High
Grades 9–12 · 740 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Pacifica
10th grade in Colma · depends on your address
Westmoor High
Grades 9–12 · 1,278 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Daly City
Jefferson High
Grades 9–12 · 1,072 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Daly City
Terra Nova High
Grades 9–12 · 740 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Pacifica
11th grade in Colma · depends on your address
Westmoor High
Grades 9–12 · 1,278 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Daly City
Jefferson High
Grades 9–12 · 1,072 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Daly City
Terra Nova High
Grades 9–12 · 740 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Pacifica
12th grade in Colma · depends on your address
Westmoor High
Grades 9–12 · 1,278 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Daly City
Jefferson High
Grades 9–12 · 1,072 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Daly City
Terra Nova High
Grades 9–12 · 740 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Pacifica
Colma runs its own schools through grade 8 (Jefferson Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Jefferson Union High School District, shared with Brisbane, Daly City, Pacifica and South San Francisco. Its elementary school is in Daly City. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Colma
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Colma vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Colma’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Colma | B | Jefferson Elementary K–8 · Jefferson Union High 9–12 |
| Daly City | B | Jefferson Elementary K–8 · Jefferson Union High 9–12 |
| South San Francisco | B+ | South San Francisco Unified K–12 · Jefferson Union High 9–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Jefferson Union High with Colma for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Colma
17 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Colma’s schools
Are Colma’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Colma children attend outscore 62% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 40%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Colma in?
Two districts: Jefferson Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Jefferson Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Brisbane, Daly City, Pacifica and South San Francisco.
Where do Colma kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Westmoor High, Jefferson High and Terra Nova High.
What is Colma’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Jefferson Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Colma spend per student?
$23,810 in Jefferson Union High School District and $19,347 in Jefferson Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Colma families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Colma → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.