Photo: Rennett Stowe · CC BY 2.0San Luis Obispo’s public schools outscore 85% of California districts
On the state math tests, 55% of San Luis Obispo’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving San Luis Obispo, 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 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.
San Luis Obispo’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 512 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of San Luis Obispo’s, its schools beat 98%, higher than their 85% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 64% and math 55% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,917 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Laguna Middle, then San Luis Obispo High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy (private), Mission College Prep Catholic High School (private), Old Mission School (private) and Montessori Childrens School (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 San Luis Obispo’s grade
A: better than 85% of California school districts, #123 of 847 California towns. 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 San Luis Obispo, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in San Luis Obispo
Laguna Middle
Grades 7–8 · 780 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in San Luis Obispo
Laguna Middle
Grades 7–8 · 780 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo High
Grades 9–12 · 1,678 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo High
Grades 9–12 · 1,678 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo High
Grades 9–12 · 1,678 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo High
Grades 9–12 · 1,678 students · 22:1 students per teacher
San Luis Obispo’s public schools are run by San Luis Coastal Unified School District, which also serves Morro 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.
Well above the state in reading
San Luis Obispo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share San Luis Obispo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo | A | San Luis Coastal Unified |
Every school in San Luis Obispo
14 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 San Luis Obispo’s schools
Are San Luis Obispo’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools San Luis Obispo children attend outscore 85% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #123 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is San Luis Obispo in?
San Luis Coastal Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 7,653 students in 16 schools (2024–25).
Where do San Luis Obispo kids go to high school?
San Luis Obispo High, with 1,678 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is San Luis Obispo’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in San Luis Coastal Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does San Luis Obispo spend per student?
$19,917 in San Luis Coastal Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in San Luis Obispo?
Yes: San Luis Obispo Classical Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 412 students), Mission College Prep Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 330 students), Old Mission School (Catholic, grades K–8, 294 students) and Montessori Childrens School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 87 students).
Parents talk
What San Luis Obispo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near San Luis Obispo → 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.