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 68.1/100 — 23.3 points above the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Pacific Rim Elementary at 78/100, where 60.1% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Carlsbad schools average 46.4% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 15 schools, 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 68.1/100 | 46.4% | +23.3 |
| High | 4 | Solid 56.6/100 | 29.2% | +12.9 |
| Middle | 3 | Solid 51.5/100 | 27.5% | +8.9 |
How Carlsbad schools compare
Carlsbad has 15 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 68.1/100 — 23.3 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
The top-ranked school is Pacific Rim Elementary with a Scope Score of 78 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 21.3%.
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
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 78/100 |
| 2 | Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary High Ceiling | 56.5% | Strong 78/100 |
| 3 | Kelly Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 51.0% | Strong 78/100 |
| 4 | El Camino Creek Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary High Ceiling | 53.4% | Strong 77/100 |
| 5 | Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad Unified High Ceiling | 54.1% | Strong 75/100 |
| 6 | La Costa Heights Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary Strong All-Around | 46.5% | Strong 74/100 |
| 7 | Sage Creek High Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 37.9% | Solid 69/100 |
| 8 | Magnolia Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 45.3% | Solid 69/100 |
| 9 | La Costa Meadows Elementary San Marcos Unified Strong All-Around | 43.4% | Solid 69/100 |
| 10 | Buena Vista Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 38.1% | Solid 68/100 |
| 11 | Poinsettia Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 56.2% | Solid 65/100 |
| 12 | Carrillo Elementary San Marcos Unified Strong All-Around | 44.2% | Solid 64/100 |
| 13 | Carlsbad High Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 34.9% | Solid 63/100 |
| 14 | La Costa Canyon High San Dieguito Union High Strong All-Around | 32.8% | Solid 62/100 |
| 15 | Mission Estancia Elementary Encinitas Union Elementary Strong All-Around | 44.5% | Solid 62/100 |
| 16 | Calavera Hills Elementary Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 37.8% | Solid 62/100 |
| 17 | Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad Unified Strong All-Around | 38.3% | Solid 60/100 |
| 18 | Hope Elementary Carlsbad Unified Solid Base | 39.6% | Solid 56/100 |
| 19 | Calavera Hills Middle Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 22.5% | Solid 53/100 |
| 20 | Jefferson Elementary Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 25.1% | Developing 47/100 |
| 21 | Valley Middle Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 21.8% | Developing 42/100 |
| 22 | Carlsbad Village Academy Carlsbad Unified Building Momentum | 11.1% | Developing 32/100 |
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.
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