The top reported proficiency rate is 84% in English language arts. The lowest is 79% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Pacific Elementary
Pacific Elementary is a small elementary school in Manhattan Beach serving kindergarten through fifth grade. The student body is roughly half white, with a quarter identifying as two or more races, a small share Asian, and a small share Hispanic. A very small fraction of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the affluent character of the community. Enrollment is stable and evenly distributed across grades.
In math, the school's proficiency sits near the middle of its grade bands. Third graders show proficiency at a baseline level, while fourth and fifth graders reach proficiency at markedly higher rates. The pattern is similar in English language arts, where third grade proficiency matches math, but fourth and fifth grade proficiency rises into the mid-to-upper range. In science, tested only in fifth grade, proficiency is solid. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile of schools within Los Angeles County.
The school has only one year of recent assessment data, so trend information is not available. A parent may want to ask the school directly about performance over prior years and whether the proficiency gains visible between third and upper grades reflect consistent patterns or single-year fluctuations.
Manhattan Beach is a small, built-out coastal town organized into distinct neighborhoods: the Tree Section with a slower suburban pace, East Manhattan Beach with larger lots, the Hill Section known for architecture and views, and the Sand Section as the beachfront neighborhood core. Downtown Manhattan Beach, centered on Manhattan Beach Boulevard with shops and restaurants near the pier, is genuinely walkable, and a network of pedestrian-only walk streets connects inland blocks to the beach. Inland neighborhoods are more car-dependent. The city's civic anchors include the 18-acre Polliwog Park with its pond, amphitheater, dog park, and botanical garden, and the pier and Strand along the waterfront.
The area is experiencing state-mandated housing growth. The city has established a Residential Overlay District to allow new multifamily housing along major commercial corridors, particularly along Sepulveda Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue, where projects are either proposed or under development. This growth, while still modest by suburban standards, may change the character of neighborhoods over the coming years.
The housing market is expensive. Median home values are substantially above the state benchmark and national benchmark. Rental prices are also high, with monthly rent well above median household income in the region. For families considering a move to the area to access Pacific Elementary or the Manhattan Beach schools, housing affordability is the primary constraint.
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District receives among the lowest per-student state funding of any California district and relies on local revenue to supplement. In March 2024, voters renewed Measure MB, an annual parcel tax, for six more years, providing stable local funding for teacher recruitment and retention, class-size management, and STEM and core academic programs. The district also passed Measure EE, a bond to replace the outdated gymnasium at Mira Costa High School, the district's sole high school. These local measures reflect a community commitment to school investment but also underscore the district's structural funding constraints.
Pacific Elementary itself does not report data on special education enrollment, English learner enrollment, chronic absenteeism, or school discipline. For families with specific needs in those areas, the school website or a direct call to the school office would be the source for those details.
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