Ortega Elementary School

1283 Terra Nova Boulevard

School District

Pacifica
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:27
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 04, 2025

We dont move out of Pacifica because of Ortega. If Im counting my blessings - this school and their staff are counted twice! I appreciate how transparent the teachers are when my little ones progress and updates on parent square make things so much easier. My kids wake up and are eager to come. They rave about the lessons they learn and we spend car rides talking about their days. Bonus - The lessons on diversity are appreciated. The only downer is the parking situation but the volunteers help move the car line along. Anywho! Thank you to all the staff who empower my littles and so many others to be fearless learners, dreamers, and overall good human beings :)
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2022

Not a great recommendation very easy on homework and isn’t very good with education and teaching
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2019

One of the better elementary schools in Pacifica. But please don’t allow PSD to hire any more legacy students as teachers. They weren’t good students to begin with, so don’t hire them as teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2018

We have truly enjoyed our experience so far at Ortega. There is a strong sense of community and our kids have flourished under the teachers they have had.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2018

We’ve been here for the last 6 years and have been consistently happy with our experience. We love our Ortega community!
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2017

They have adopted a minimal homework style which we really love. They focus on reading and Home and a page or two of math and that is it. The rest is done in class. We have a 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th grader and we LOVE Ortega. It was the only school we put on our form!The PTO is very active and raise lots of money so that we have science, art, PE, music and computers for all to use. Ortega also has a great garden that has tables so teachers can teach outside which the kids love. They love growing veggies and visiting the 4 chickens that they have. They offer a wide range of after school activists from dance, pottery, cooking, Spanish and poetry just to name a few. The staff have always been wonderful in dealing with any issue we have had(even 5th grade girl drama!). We could not ask for a better principal, she is fun, positive and very engaging with the kids. I am so happy we have been able to be here at Ortega for the last 6 years and highly recommend it!
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2017

The experience through the end of 2014 was amazing. New leadership has changed our experience and many others in a negative way. They have taken away honor roll without notice or discussion. There is no attempt to squash the increase of bullying. They've implemented a new punitive community punishment program that impacts the entire class for the actions of a few. The overall mood of the school has gone from fostering excellence to fear based crowd control. I've heard more than a few children in the 5th grade say they used to love school, and now they dread it. There are still some wonderful teachers and office staff that make the days tolerable.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2014

A school we like may be different for someone else. We just started at this school 2 weeks ago, a week after everyone went back from summer. Hard enough for a 4th grade girl and a 2nd grade boy to move state away from friends, schools neighbors etc!! But then to have to start school later than everyone else it was a little tough. Ortega school staff and teachers made everything easy, warm and welcoming for me but especially for the kids..... The teachers are professionals but with down to earth human kindness. I have nothing but positive wonderful comments about Ortega elementry. My daughter in 4th grade has had a hard transition and teachers, aids, custodians and the administration have bent over backwards to improve and help her situation. Miss Lynn the front office woman is just wonderful, Miss Angie generally cares about every child and made such a difference in our experience. The principle is a great person with compassion and a sense of good leadership. Mr Corten in 4 th grade is just plain amazing. The curriculum seems fast paced but with a good balance of mainstream academics and creative arts, This school gets our vote. All the kids here seems genuinely happy to be here.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2014

Ortega is a fantastic school. My daughter will graduate from 5th grade this year, and the teachers have done a wonderful job preparing her for middle school. The principal and secretaries are also amazing. She has ADHD, and I sent her to the local (terrible) private school for kindergarten and 1st grade. What a waste of money...she received no help or extra support. Switching to Ortega at the beginning of 2nd grade was the best decision we ever made. She couldn't even read when she started. Now she is an honor student, confident and thriving. Reads above grade level and especially excels at math. Thanks Ortega!
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2014

Ortega, like 90% of California schools, suffers from a critical lack of proper financial management. The principal is great, working with parents and staff to eek as much as he can out of a limited budget. The teaching staff are hit or miss. Our Kindergartner had a superb teacher. Our third grader had a teacher who could not control her classroom and didn't bother to teach math. Please be aware that children attending Ortega ( and other Pacifica schools) do not have access to full-time librarians, or paid instructors for PE, Art, or Music. Don't even hope for a band program, it is non-existent. The PTA has tried to cover the funding gaps, paying salaries for part-time librarians and other "elective" instructors. However, the PTA has been staffed, for several years, with two women who bully and harass other parents. This has led to a down-ward trend in parent participation and fundraising. Additionally, Ortega school grounds are constantly covered with litter and the building is in dire need of repairs.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2014

Awesome. Best teachers and office staff your could ever ask for. Creative, committed and supportive teachers make the students feel confident and challenged. I couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

We love Ortega. Our son has a wonderful teacher. The school offers a very well balanced education including science and art in kindergarten.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

I'll start off by saying, I was the most reluctant convert to moving my kids to Ortega. We were living in the city, but moved to Pacifica last year, and opted to keep our kids in SF public school where my oldest had finally gotten an IEP placement that we were pleased with. However, inter-district transfers need to be submitted every year and Pacifica denied our request for this year. Initially, I was mildly steamed, but we decided to meet with the Special Education folks before putting up a fight. Best move ever. The bottom line is that the city probably has fewer resources to go around. We were accustomed to fighting tooth and nail for every single service in the city, but our experience with Pacifica has been completely different. You ask for what you want, and they just give it to you! The Principal, Teachers and PTO are all wonderful, and the sense of community is unparalleled in my experience. :)
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

Principal and PTO are doing a very good job raising money for Sciences Lab, computer lab, art, and a lot more activities. Very good teachers, involved and available!
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2012

I can't say enough great things about this school! It was our first choice for many reasons and has been amazing so far!! My son just finished kindergarten and his teacher (along with the other kinder teachers) was very on top of things. She dealt students fairly and at the varying academic levels. She treated everyone kindly and taught them the importance of respecting themselves and others. The parent involvement here and PTO have been fabulous! We couldn't have imagined a better year and anticipate the older grades well go well too.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2012

My child is currently attending kindergarten at Ortega. As many other parents, we chose this school as a second choice, mainly because it is so close to our home. We really connected with the principal and we were excited to start a new phase on my child's life. Six months into the school year, I feel drained because the experience has been less than rewarding, partly because our child and the teacher have not connected at the same level expected. Despite the conversations we've had with both the principal and the teacher, we have seen little progress. I understand the challenges that teachers must face given the limited budget assigned to the school, which is very sad because I still believe in the principal's philosophy and I truly admire his drive. The PTO is fabulous and involved and the daycare is just a few steps away. However I'm still concerned about my child's education, and have little hopes for my child to move to first grade, so I'm looking for options outside the school district. Don't get me wrong, this is a good, thriving school. It's just not for us.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2012

I have a first grader at Ortega (started in Kinder) and I cannot say enough great things about this school. After moving from the East Bay (Antioch) and seeing how a decent school district can turn quite frightening and fast, I was a bit nervous. With budget cuts, I assumed they were all heading that direction. That "fear" faded Fast! All around fantastic staff that seems to truly care and know your child and the best Secretary in the world! A principal that cares, listens and is actively involved. Teachers are great and take time to get to know you and your child. Creating lesson plans to fit each child s needs - whether they need additional help or need a bit more advanced program than standard... I could go on and on! Amazing reading program and the enrichment classes such as Science and Art are favorites with the kids. Most schools have had to cut such programs, but our staff, district, parents, etc. do what they can to keep them in place! And a fantastic PTO - all parents are members and mosvery involved. Most staff and families are on a first name basis . Okay, I must stop as I am running out of "characters"!!!! Email me with any questions or comments.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2011

Amazing! Love this school. The teacher/PTO involvement is wonderful. So glad my Daughter goes here.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

I couldn't ask for a better set of teachers! I have a kinder and 2nd grader and so far their teachers have been the best! The office staff is wonderful too, couldn't ask for a better school for my children to attend!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

My grandson has attended Ortega and my daughter will not move from the Ortega School area she is pleased with the education that he is receiving and will soon have another child attending, then another :)