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Montara BeachPhoto: Public domain · Public domain
B
Schools in Montara · Cabrillo Unified School District

Montara’s public schools outscore 57% of California districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Montara, 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.

#391of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
44%
▼ 3 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
30%
▼ 3 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
87%
▲ 1 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.9K
▼ 15% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
21.3
CA 21.6
Schools in town
1
1,609 students on the public path
In brief

Montara’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 124 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Montara’s, its schools beat 10%, 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 ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Montara’s grade

B Test scoresC+ Graduation

B: better than 57% of California school districts, #391 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 57%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (124)Better than 10%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,363 test results and a graduating class of 269 could put Montara anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Montara’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,361 in math, 1,365 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Montara, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Farallone View ElementaryCabrillo Unified School DistrictNo scores
6–8Manuel F. Cunha Intermediatein Half Moon BayNo scores
9–12Half Moon Bay Highin Half Moon BayNo scores

Montara’s public schools are run by Cabrillo Unified School District, which also serves Half Moon Bay. 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.

Cabrillo Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 7 schools · 2,548 students, down 13% since 2020–21 · 21.3 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$17,945CA $21,206 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading44%
State average 46.7% · 1365 students tested
Math30%
State average 33.1% · 1361 students tested

Montara vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Montara’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MontaraBCabrillo Unified

Every school in Montara

3 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).

District schools in Montaraby address
Farallone View Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
177 students25:1Rate it →
Also serving Montarain other towns
Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Half Moon Bay
521 students22:1Rate it →
Half Moon Bay High
High · Grades 9–12 · Half Moon Bay
911 students18:1Rate it →

Questions about Montara’s schools

Are Montara’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Montara 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 10%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Montara in?

Cabrillo Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,548 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Montara kids go to high school?

Half Moon Bay High in Half Moon Bay, with 911 students.

What is Montara’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 Montara spend per student?

$17,945 in Cabrillo Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Montara families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Montara → 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.