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Schools in 92009 — Carlsbad, California

92009 has 10 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 72.4 — 28.6 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 63.8 to 79.2, a 15.4-point spread. 6 schools rank in the 90th percentile or above statewide.

Avg Scope Score
72.4
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
15.4
63.8 – 79.2
Avg Exceeded %
49.2%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
10.0%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
10
With Scope Scores

How 92009 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Pacific Rim Elementary with a Scope Score of 79 and 60.1% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling zip code: Schools here average 49.2% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just meeting proficiency; they're pushing students beyond it.

Declining trajectory: Average proficiency drops by 4.7 percentage points from grade 3 to grade 5 across 92009. This pattern in test scores may reflect a variety of factors and is worth examining school by school.

Chronic absenteeism across 92009 averages 10.0%, above the state average of 18.1%.

How 92009 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 92009
92009Carlsbad10Strong
72.4/100
92008Carlsbad10Solid
57.7/100
-14.7
92004Borrego Springs3Developing
35.1/100
-37.3
92003Bonsall3Developing
47.4/100
-25.0
92019El Cajon12Developing
36.2/100
-36.2

School archetypes in 92009

4 High Ceiling2 Strong All-Around2 Solid Base2 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

All schools in 92009

#SchoolExceededScore
1Pacific Rim Elementary
Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling
60.1%Strong
79/100
2El Camino Creek Elementary
Encinitas Union Elementary High Ceiling
53.4%Strong
79/100
3Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary
Encinitas Union Elementary High Ceiling
56.5%Strong
79/100
4Aviara Oaks Elementary
Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling
54.1%Strong
77/100
5La Costa Heights Elementary
Encinitas Union Elementary Strong All-Around
46.5%Strong
73/100
6La Costa Meadows Elementary
San Marcos Unified Building Momentum
43.4%Strong
71/100
7La Costa Canyon High
San Dieguito Union High Strong All-Around
32.8%Solid
69/100
8Poinsettia Elementary
Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum
56.2%Solid
69/100
9Mission Estancia Elementary
Encinitas Union Elementary Solid Base
44.5%Solid
64/100
10Carrillo Elementary
San Marcos Unified Solid Base
44.2%Solid
64/100

Schools in 92009 on the map

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 92009

  • 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

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Carlsbad good?
Carlsbad's 10 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 72.4/100, which is 28.6 points above the California state average of 43.8. 49.2% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Carlsbad?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Carlsbad is Pacific Rim Elementary with a Scope Score of 79/100 and 60.1% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Carlsbad schools compare to the state average?
Carlsbad elementary schools average a Scope Score of 72.4 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (28.6 points above). The exceeded rate averages 49.2% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 10.0% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 63.8 to 79.2, a 15.4-point spread.
How many schools are in Carlsbad?
Carlsbad has 10 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.