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Pismobeach02032022Photo: Soundsfancy · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+
Schools in Pismo Beach · Lucia Mar Unified School District

Pismo Beach’s public schools outscore 68% of California districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Pismo Beach, 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.

#267of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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
50%
▲ 3 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▼ 0 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
93%
▲ 7 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.5K
▼ 17% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
19.7
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
3,910 students on the public path
In brief

Pismo Beach’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 499 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pismo Beach’s, its schools beat 62%, lower than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in reading, below in math

Reading proficiency is 50% and math 33% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,507 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and three high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. 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 Pismo Beach’s grade

B+ Test scoresB+ Graduation

B+: better than 68% of California school districts, #267 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 68%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (499)Better than 62%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 4,969 test results and a graduating class of 829 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Pismo Beach’s students in the tested grades sat them (4,969 in math, 4,969 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–6Shell Beach ElementaryLucia Mar Unified School DistrictNo scores
7–8Judkins MiddleLucia Mar Unified School DistrictNo scores
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores

Pismo Beach’s public schools are run by Lucia Mar Unified School District, which also serves Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach. Parts of Pismo Beach (14% of its land) are served by San Luis Coastal Unified instead. 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.

Lucia Mar Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 19 schools · 9,590 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 19.7 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$17,507CA $21,206 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading50%
State average 46.7% · 4969 students tested
Math33%
State average 33.1% · 4969 students tested

Pismo Beach vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Pismo BeachB+Lucia Mar Unified
Grover BeachB+Lucia Mar Unified
Arroyo GrandeB+Lucia Mar Unified

All 2 neighbors share Lucia Mar Unified with Pismo Beach, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Pismo Beach

5 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 Pismo Beachby address
Shell Beach Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
330 students21:1Rate it →
Judkins Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8
431 students18:1Rate it →
Also serving Pismo Beachin other towns
Arroyo Grande High
High · Grades 9–12 · Arroyo Grande
2,012 students21:1Rate it →
Nipomo High
High · Grades 9–12 · Nipomo
819 students19:1Rate it →
Central Coast New Tech High
High · Grades 9–12 · Nipomo
318 students19:1Rate it →

Questions about Pismo Beach’s schools

Are Pismo Beach’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Pismo Beach children attend outscore 68% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #267 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 62%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Pismo Beach in?

Lucia Mar Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 9,590 students in 19 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Pismo Beach are served by San Luis Coastal Unified.

Where do Pismo Beach kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Arroyo Grande High, Nipomo High and Central Coast New Tech High.

What is Pismo Beach’s graduation rate?

93% of the class of 2023 in Lucia Mar Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Pismo Beach spend per student?

$17,507 in Lucia Mar Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Pismo Beach families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pismo Beach → 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.