Carlsbad Unified
Carlsbad Unified has 15 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 62.5/100 — 18.7 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. The district spends $12,544 per student (below the state average of $14,815). 1 school shows positive growth trajectories. Chronic absenteeism averages 15.8%, below the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Avg Score | Schools | Exceeded | Absent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Solid 67.2/100 | 9 | 45.3% | 11.8% |
| Middle | Solid 51.0/100 | 3 | 27.5% | 13.9% |
| High | Solid 59.8/100 | 3 | 28.0% | 29.6% |
K–12 pipeline
The typical school path in Carlsbad Unified, top-scoring shown first.
District Analysis
Strongest level: Carlsbad Unified's elementary schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 67.2.
Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -5.0pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.
Consistency: Score range of 44.2 points — showing significant variation between schools.
Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 15.8%, 2.3pp above the state average of 18.1%.
Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 1.9%, near the state average of 1.7%.
Top school: Pacific Rim Elementary leads the district at 79 with 60.1% exceeding standard.
How we score · Scope Score methodology
School archetypes in Carlsbad Unified
Hidden gems: 1 school in Carlsbad Unified is classified as Growth Engine — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Student demographics
District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data
District Funding
Carlsbad Unified spends $12,544 per student in current expenditures — $2,271 below the state average of $14,815.
Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020
Teacher compensation
CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25
Elementary Schools (9)
Carlsbad Unified has 9 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 67.2 — 23.5 points above the state average of 43.8. 4 of 9 elementary schools score above 70.
Growth averages -5.0pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring elementary school is Pacific Rim Elementary with a Scope Score of 79 and 60.1% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific Rim Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 60.1% | Strong 79/100 |
| 2 | Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 54.1% | Strong 77/100 |
| 3 | Kelly Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 51.0% | Strong 74/100 |
| 4 | Magnolia Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 45.3% | Strong 71/100 |
| 5 | Poinsettia Elementary Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 56.2% | Solid 69/100 |
| 6 | Buena Vista Elementary Carlsbad Unified Solid Base | 38.1% | Solid 64/100 |
| 7 | Calavera Hills Elementary Carlsbad Unified Solid Base | 37.8% | Solid 63/100 |
| 8 | Hope Elementary Carlsbad Unified Solid Base | 39.6% | Solid 61/100 |
| 9 | Jefferson Elementary Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 25.1% | Developing 46/100 |
Middle Schools (3)
Carlsbad Unified has 3 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 51.0 — 10.5 points above the state average of 40.5.
Growth averages -2.1pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring middle school is Aviara Oaks Middle with a Scope Score of 61 and 38.3% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad Unified Solid Base | 38.3% | Solid 61/100 |
| 2 | Calavera Hills Middle Carlsbad Unified Growth Engine | 22.5% | Developing 50/100 |
| 3 | Valley Middle Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 21.8% | Developing 42/100 |
High Schools (3)
Carlsbad Unified has 3 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 59.8 — 12.3 points above the state average of 47.5. 1 of 3 high schools score above 70.
The highest-scoring high school is Sage Creek High with a Scope Score of 75 and 37.9% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sage Creek High Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 37.9% | Strong 75/100 |
| 2 | Carlsbad High Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 34.9% | Solid 70/100 |
| 3 | 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.
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Carlsbad Unified
- 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 resources are distributed across schools within the district
Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology