Top 10 Best Carlsbad Public Schools (2024-25)

For the 2024-25 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 14,437 students in Carlsbad, CA (there are 18 private schools, serving 2,262 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Carlsbad, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 89%). Carlsbad has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
The top ranked public schools in Carlsbad, CA are Pacific Rim Elementary School, Magnolia Elementary School and Aviara Oaks Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carlsbad, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 73% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Carlsbad have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Carlsbad, CA (2024-25)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pacific Rim Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1100 Camino De Las Ondas
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6200
Grades: K-5
| 673 students
Rank: #22.
Magnolia Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1905 Magnolia Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5600
Grades: K-5
| 503 students
Rank: #33.
Aviara Oaks Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6900 Ambrosia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6000
Grades: K-5
| 641 students
Rank: #44.
Poinsettia Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2445 Mica Rd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6500
Grades: K-5
| 480 students
Rank: #55.
El Camino Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7885 Paseo Aliso
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2051
Grades: K-6
| 459 students
Rank: #66.
Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
8000 Calle Acervo
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2000
Grades: K-6
| 570 students
Rank: #77.
Kelly Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4885 Kelly Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5800
Grades: K-5
| 464 students
Rank: #88.
Aviara Oaks Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6880 Ambrosia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6100
Grades: 6-8
| 1,021 students
Rank: #99.
Carrillo Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2875 Poinsettia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 290-2900
Grades: K-5
| 763 students
Rank: #1010.
Sage Creek High School
Magnet School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3900 Bobcat Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6600
Grades: 9-12
| 1,392 students
Rank: #1111.
La Costa Heights Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3035 Levante St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 944-4375
Grades: K-6
| 634 students
Rank: #1212.
La Costa Meadows Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6889 El Fuerte St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 290-2121
Grades: K-5
| 693 students
Rank: #1313.
Hope Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3010 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5900
Grades: K-5
| 639 students
Rank: #1414.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Grades: K-12
| 84 students
Rank: #1515.
Mission Estancia Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3330 Calle Barcelona
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2004
Grades: K-6
| 376 students
Rank: #1616.
Buena Vista Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1330 Buena Vista Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5400
Grades: K-5
| 276 students
Rank: #1717.
Calavera Hills Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4100 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6300
Grades: K-5
| 449 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Calavera Hills Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4104 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6400
Grades: 6-8
| 643 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Valley Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1645 Magnolia Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5300
Grades: 6-8
| 866 students
Rank: #2020.
Carlsbad High School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5100
Grades: 9-12
| 2,290 students
Rank: #2121.
Jefferson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3743 Jefferson St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5500
Grades: K-5
| 462 students
Rank: #2222.
Carlsbad Village Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5100
Grades: 10-12
| 59 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Carlsbad, California

Carlsbad, California Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
6401 Linda Vista Rd., Rm. 216
Carlsbad, CA 92011
(760) 471-6010
Grades: K-12
| 97 students
7100 Arenal Lane
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Grades: K-7
| 157 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Carlsbad, CA?
How many public schools are located in Carlsbad?
22 public schools are located in Carlsbad.
What percentage of students in Carlsbad go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Carlsbad are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Carlsbad?
Carlsbad public schools minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Carlsbad are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?
Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?
This article examines the ongoing debate about drug testing for teachers in public schools. It discusses the rationale behind such policies, privacy concerns, cost implications, and the relatively low prevalence of drug use among educators. The piece also explores future considerations for drug testing policies in educational settings.
Head in the Clouds: Why Public Schools are Embracing Cloud Computing
Head in the Clouds: Why Public Schools are Embracing Cloud Computing
Explore how public schools are integrating cloud computing into their educational frameworks. Understand the advantages such as enhanced collaboration, cost savings, and accessibility, as well as the challenges schools face in adopting this technology.
Understanding Rubrics
September 27, 2024
Understanding Rubrics
This article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.