Elementary Schools in Carlsbad, California: Carlsbad schools aren't just reaching proficiency — they're pushing students beyond it.
Carlsbad, California has 15 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 64.6/100 — 25.8 points above the state average of 38.9. The highest-scoring school is Pacific Rim Elementary at 76/100, where 60.1% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Carlsbad schools average 46.4% exceeded standard (state: 21.4%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 15 schools, 3 Growth Engines and 5 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 10.7% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Schools | Avg Score | Exceeded | vs State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 15 | Solid 64.6/100 | 46.4% | +25.8 |
| High | 3 | Strong 71.6/100 | 35.2% | +17.6 |
| Middle | 3 | Developing 47.7/100 | 27.5% | +9.2 |
How Carlsbad schools compare
Carlsbad has 15 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 64.6/100 — 25.8 points above the state average of 38.9 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
The top-ranked school is Pacific Rim Elementary with a Scope Score of 76 and 60.1% of students exceeding standard.
These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Carlsbad schools average 46.4% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.4%.
Chronic absenteeism in Carlsbad averages 10.7% — below the state average of 17.9%.
How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page
School archetypes in Carlsbad
Hidden gems: 3 schools in Carlsbad are classified as Growth Engine (3) — 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
Every school in Carlsbad
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific Rim Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 60.1% | Strong 76/100 |
| 2 | Sage Creek High Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 37.9% | Strong 76/100 |
| 3 | Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary High Ceiling | 56.5% | Strong 75/100 |
| 4 | El Camino Creek Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary High Ceiling | 53.4% | Strong 74/100 |
| 5 | Kelly Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 51.0% | Strong 74/100 |
| 6 | Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 54.1% | Strong 73/100 |
| 7 | Carlsbad High Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 34.9% | Solid 70/100 |
| 8 | La Costa Heights Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary Growth Engine | 46.5% | Solid 70/100 |
| 9 | La Costa Canyon High San Dieguito Union High Strong All-Around | 32.8% | Solid 69/100 |
| 10 | Magnolia Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 45.3% | Solid 66/100 |
| 11 | La Costa Meadows Elementary San Marcos Unified Growth Engine | 43.4% | Solid 65/100 |
| 12 | Poinsettia Elementary Carlsbad Unified Solid Base | 56.2% | Solid 64/100 |
| 13 | Buena Vista Elementary Carlsbad Unified Growth Engine | 38.1% | Solid 62/100 |
| 14 | Carrillo Elementary San Marcos Unified Solid Base | 44.2% | Solid 60/100 |
| 15 | Mission Estancia Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary Solid Base | 44.5% | Solid 59/100 |
| 16 | Calavera Hills Elementary Carlsbad Unified Solid Base | 37.8% | Solid 57/100 |
| 17 | Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad Unified Solid Base | 38.3% | Solid 57/100 |
| 18 | Hope Elementary Carlsbad Unified Solid Base | 39.6% | Solid 53/100 |
| 19 | Calavera Hills Middle Carlsbad Unified On the Rise | 22.5% | Developing 50/100 |
| 20 | Jefferson Elementary Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 25.1% | Developing 41/100 |
| 21 | Valley Middle Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 21.8% | Developing 37/100 |
| 22 | Carlsbad Village Academy Carlsbad Unified continuation high school | 11.1% | Developing 34/100 |
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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.
Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology