Elementary Schools in Carlsbad, California
Carlsbad, California has 22 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 65.3/100 — 21.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Pacific Rim Elementary at 79/100, where 60.1% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Carlsbad schools average 40.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 22 schools, 5 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 13.9% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
How Carlsbad schools compare
Carlsbad's 22 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 65.3 — 21.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 34.9 to 79.2, a 44.2-point spread.
The top-ranked school is Pacific Rim Elementary with a Scope Score of 79 and 60.1% of students exceeding standard.
High-ceiling schools: Carlsbad schools average 40.7% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just getting students to proficiency, they're pushing them further.
Chronic absenteeism in Carlsbad averages 13.9%, which is above the state average of 18.1%.
How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)
School archetypes in Carlsbad
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Schools in Carlsbad ranked by Scope Score
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific Rim Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 60.1% | Strong 79/100 |
| 2 | El Camino Creek Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary High Ceiling | 53.4% | Strong 79/100 |
| 3 | Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary High Ceiling | 56.5% | Strong 79/100 |
| 4 | Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 54.1% | Strong 77/100 |
| 5 | Sage Creek High Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 37.9% | Strong 75/100 |
| 6 | Kelly Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 51.0% | Strong 74/100 |
| 7 | La Costa Heights Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary Strong All-Around | 46.5% | Strong 73/100 |
| 8 | La Costa Meadows Elementary San Marcos Unified Strong All-Around | 43.4% | Strong 71/100 |
| 9 | Magnolia Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 45.3% | Strong 71/100 |
| 10 | Carlsbad High Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 34.9% | Solid 70/100 |
| 11 | La Costa Canyon High San Dieguito Union High Strong All-Around | 32.8% | Solid 69/100 |
| 12 | Poinsettia Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 56.2% | Solid 69/100 |
| 13 | Mission Estancia Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary Strong All-Around | 44.5% | Solid 64/100 |
| 14 | Carrillo Elementary San Marcos Unified Strong All-Around | 44.2% | Solid 64/100 |
| 15 | Buena Vista Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 38.1% | Solid 64/100 |
| 16 | Calavera Hills Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 37.8% | Solid 63/100 |
| 17 | Hope Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 39.6% | Solid 61/100 |
| 18 | Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 38.3% | Solid 61/100 |
| 19 | Calavera Hills Middle Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 22.5% | Developing 50/100 |
| 20 | Jefferson Elementary Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 25.1% | Developing 46/100 |
| 21 | Valley Middle Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 21.8% | Developing 42/100 |
| 22 | Carlsbad Village Academy Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 11.1% | Developing 35/100 |
Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology
Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.
Private Schools in Carlsbad
Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Carlsbad
- Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
- Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
- Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
- Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
- Parent and community engagement levels
- Quality of special education and gifted programs
- How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access
Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology