Cardiff Elementary

The Cardiff Elementary district in the coastal community of Cardiff by the Sea, California, consists of two high-performing elementary schools serving a total of about 640 students from kindergarten through 6th grade, with one school dedicated to K-2 and the other to grades 3-6.

For parents, the standout academic performer is Ada W. Harris Elementary (grades 3-6), which consistently ranks in the top 10% of California elementary schools, with student test scores in English and math far exceeding state averages. The younger Cardiff Elementary (grades K-2) provides a strong foundation, though its performance is not measured by standardized tests, and it receives significantly higher per-student funding. Both schools benefit from exceptionally high student attendance, with chronic absenteeism rates roughly one-quarter of the state average, and serve student populations with relatively low economic need compared to the rest of California.

Key insights for the district include the remarkable consistency of Ada W. Harris's high rankings over several years and its very low 5.2% chronic absenteeism rate. An area for potential attention is a noticeable dip in 5th-grade math scores at Ada W. Harris compared to other grades. The unique grade configuration, splitting elementary education between two schools, allows for specialized focus but makes a smooth transition between them important. Overall, the Cardiff Elementary district is a high-achieving system where students consistently attend school and perform well academically.