Photo: Coolcaesar at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0South San Francisco’s public schools outscore 69% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving South San Francisco, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In South San Francisco, 37% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). 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 94% 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.
South San Francisco’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 382 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of South San Francisco’s, its schools beat 57%, lower than their 69% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 52% and math 37% 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
South San Francisco Unified spends $21,381 per student and Jefferson Union High $23,810, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
All Souls Catholic Elementary School (private), Hillside Christian Academy (private), Mills Montessori (private) and Building Kidz of SSF Inc (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 South San Francisco’s grade
B+: better than 69% of California school districts, #257 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 South San Francisco, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in South San Francisco · depends on your address
Alta Loma Middle
Grades 6–8 · 652 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Parkway Heights Middle
Grades 6–8 · 573 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Westborough Middle
Grades 6–8 · 498 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in South San Francisco · depends on your address
Alta Loma Middle
Grades 6–8 · 652 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Parkway Heights Middle
Grades 6–8 · 573 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Westborough Middle
Grades 6–8 · 498 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in South San Francisco · depends on your address
Alta Loma Middle
Grades 6–8 · 652 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Parkway Heights Middle
Grades 6–8 · 573 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Westborough Middle
Grades 6–8 · 498 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in South San Francisco · depends on your address
South San Francisco High
Grades 9–12 · 1,239 students · 18:1 students per teacher
El Camino High
Grades 9–12 · 1,053 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in South San Francisco · depends on your address
South San Francisco High
Grades 9–12 · 1,239 students · 18:1 students per teacher
El Camino High
Grades 9–12 · 1,053 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in South San Francisco · depends on your address
South San Francisco High
Grades 9–12 · 1,239 students · 18:1 students per teacher
El Camino High
Grades 9–12 · 1,053 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in South San Francisco · depends on your address
South San Francisco High
Grades 9–12 · 1,239 students · 18:1 students per teacher
El Camino High
Grades 9–12 · 1,053 students · 18:1 students per teacher
South San Francisco runs its own schools through grade 12 (South San Francisco Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Jefferson Union High School District, shared with Brisbane, Colma, Daly City and Pacifica. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve South San Francisco
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
South San Francisco vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share South San Francisco’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| South San Francisco | B+ | South San Francisco Unified K–12 · Jefferson Union High 9–12 |
| San Bruno | A− | San Bruno Park Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
| Daly City | B | Jefferson Elementary K–8 · Jefferson Union High 9–12 |
| Colma | B | Jefferson Elementary K–8 · Jefferson Union High 9–12 |
| Pacifica | A− | Pacifica K–8 · Jefferson Union High 9–12 |
| Brisbane | B+ | Brisbane Elementary K–8 · Bayshore Elementary K–8 · Jefferson Union High 9–12 |
| Oakland | C | Oakland Unified |
4 of the 6 neighbors share Jefferson Union High with South San Francisco for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in South San Francisco
15 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).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Community Day and Hillside Elementary).
Questions about South San Francisco’s schools
Are South San Francisco’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools South San Francisco children attend outscore 69% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #257 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 57%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is South San Francisco in?
Two districts: South San Francisco Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Jefferson Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Brisbane, Colma, Daly City and Pacifica.
Where do South San Francisco kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: South San Francisco High and El Camino High.
What is South San Francisco’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 South San Francisco spend per student?
$21,381 in South San Francisco Unified School District and $23,810 in Jefferson Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in South San Francisco?
Yes: All Souls Catholic Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 229 students), Hillside Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–7, 51 students), Mills Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 31 students) and Building Kidz of SSF Inc (nonsectarian, grades K, 6 students).
Parents talk
What South San Francisco families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near South San Francisco → 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.