Pacifica High School is a high school in Garden Grove, California, United States, within the Garden Grove Unified School District. It opened in 1965 and has enrolled more than two thousand students yearly. The communities serving Pacifica are western Garden Grove and sections of Stanton and Cypress.
Serving 1,640 students in grades 9-12, Pacifica High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 52% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 61% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,640 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 94% (Top 30% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 52% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 61% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 33% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Pacifica High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Pacifica High School's student population of 1,640 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 76 teachers has grown by 11% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,640 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
76 teachers
Year Founded
1965
Colors
Black, white and blue
School Calendar
School Rankings
Pacifica High School ranks within the top 20% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Pacifica High School is 0.71, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1844 out of 9523 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
31%
12%
Hispanic
35%
56%
Black
1%
5%
White
28%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
94%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
39%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
19%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Mariners
- Pacifica High School is a high school in Garden Grove, California and is a member of the Garden Grove Unified School District. It first opened on September 5, 1965, on the site of an old pig farm.
- Athletics: Pacifica's sports teams are called the Mariners, and compete in Empire League of theCalifornia Interscholastic Federation's Southern Section. Prior to 2006, they competed in the Garden Grove League with the other schools in the GGUSD. Pacifica's softball team is regularly among the nation's elite, and won the national championship in 1997. The Pacifica Marching Band Drumline in 2006 took the WGI National gold medal in the PSO division (along with numerous first place finishes all over Southern California). Pacificas J.V cheer team, 2005-2006, won USA Spirit Nationals in their division. They competed against the top five teams in their division and won first place.
- Notable alumni: Tommy Sandt, former 2nd baseman Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Norm Johnson, former National Football League kicker.
- Dexter Holland, singer and guitarist for the band, The Offspring, and valedictorian of the Class of 1984.
- Kevin Wasserman, lead guitarist of The Offspring.
- Greg Kriesel, bassist for The Offspring Amanda Freed, member of the gold medal-winning 2004 U.S. Olympic Softball team.
- Daniel Barber, former professional soccer player, indoors and with MLS's MetroStars.
- Jodie Legaspi, UCLA softball star and member of U.S. national team.
- Rob Weil, former coach of Pacifica's national championship softball team. Was All-CIF goalkeeper for Pacifica's CIF Southern Section 2-A boys' soccer championship team in 1980.
- Monique Powell, musician.
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pacifica High School's ranking?
Pacifica High School is ranked #1844 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in California.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
52% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 61% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Pacifica High School?
The graduation rate of Pacifica High School is 94%, which is higher than the California state average of 87%.
How many students attend Pacifica High School?
1,640 students attend Pacifica High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
35% of Pacifica High School students are Hispanic, 31% of students are Asian, 28% of students are White, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Pacifica High School?
Pacifica High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Pacifica High School offer ?
Pacifica High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Pacifica High School part of?
Pacifica High School is part of Garden Grove Unified School District.
In what neighborhood is Pacifica High School located?
Pacifica High School is located in the West Garden Grove neighborhood of Garden Grove, CA. There are 5 other public schools located in West Garden Grove.
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