Photo: Doc Searls · CC BY-SA 2.0Half Moon Bay’s public schools outscore 57% of California districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Half Moon Bay, 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 93% 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.
Half Moon Bay’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 272 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Half Moon Bay’s, its schools beat 29%, lower than their 57% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 30% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,945 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate, then Half Moon Bay High. Enrollment is down 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sea Crest School (private) and Main Street Scholars (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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 Half Moon Bay’s grade
B: better than 57% of California school districts, #391 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Half Moon Bay, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Half Moon Bay
Alvin S. Hatch Elementary
Grades K–5 · 544 students · 26:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Half Moon Bay
Alvin S. Hatch Elementary
Grades K–5 · 544 students · 26:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Half Moon Bay
Alvin S. Hatch Elementary
Grades K–5 · 544 students · 26:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Half Moon Bay
Alvin S. Hatch Elementary
Grades K–5 · 544 students · 26:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Half Moon Bay
Alvin S. Hatch Elementary
Grades K–5 · 544 students · 26:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Half Moon Bay
Alvin S. Hatch Elementary
Grades K–5 · 544 students · 26:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Half Moon Bay
Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 521 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Half Moon Bay
Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 521 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Half Moon Bay
Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 521 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay High
Grades 9–12 · 911 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay High
Grades 9–12 · 911 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay High
Grades 9–12 · 911 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay High
Grades 9–12 · 911 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Half Moon Bay’s public schools are run by Cabrillo Unified School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Half Moon Bay vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Half Moon Bay’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Half Moon Bay | B | Cabrillo Unified |
Every school in Half Moon Bay
6 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 Half Moon Bay’s schools
Are Half Moon Bay’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Half Moon Bay children attend outscore 57% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #391 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Half Moon Bay in?
Cabrillo Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,548 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Half Moon Bay kids go to high school?
Half Moon Bay High, with 911 students.
What is Half Moon Bay’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Cabrillo Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Half Moon Bay spend per student?
$17,945 in Cabrillo Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Half Moon Bay?
Yes: Sea Crest School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 300 students) and Main Street Scholars (nonsectarian, grades 8–12, 5 students).
Parents talk
What Half Moon Bay families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Half Moon Bay → 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.