High Schools in Cabrillo Unified

The Cabrillo Unified school district operates two public high schools serving grades 9-12: the comprehensive Half Moon Bay High and the much smaller Pilarcitos Alternative High (Continuation), which serves students needing a different educational setting.

Half Moon Bay High is the district's main high school, graduating an impressive 96.4% of its students, which is well above state averages. However, its standardized test scores in English, math, and science are currently below both district and state averages, a notable contrast to its high graduation success. The school's statewide ranking has also declined recently. Pilarcitos Alternative High (Continuation) serves a very small group of students with a 60.9% graduation rate, which is a significant achievement for a continuation school, though it has a higher dropout rate. Interestingly, it reports no chronic absenteeism among its students.

For parents, the key takeaway is that the Cabrillo Unified high schools present distinct environments. The comprehensive high school excels at graduating students but shows room for growth in academic proficiency scores, while the alternative school provides a specialized, attentive setting for students who may struggle in a traditional program. Both schools have similar per-student funding, and the district's overall graduation rates are strong, even as academic test scores lag behind the state.