For the 2025 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 14,212 students in Carlsbad, CA (there are 16 private schools, serving 2,202 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Carlsbad, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%). 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, Aviara Oaks Elementary School and Magnolia 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 65% (versus the California public school average of 34%), 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 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Carlsbad, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pacific Rim Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1100 Camino De Las Ondas
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6200
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6200
Gr: K-5 | 652 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
Aviara Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6900 Ambrosia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6000
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6000
Gr: K-5 | 624 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #33.
Magnolia Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1905 Magnolia Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5600
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5600
Gr: K-5 | 499 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #44.
Poinsettia Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2445 Mica Rd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6500
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6500
Gr: K-5 | 509 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #55.
El Camino Creek Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7885 Paseo Aliso
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2051
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2051
Gr: K-6 | 420 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #66.
Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
8000 Calle Acervo
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2000
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2000
Gr: K-6 | 549 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #77.
Kelly Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4885 Kelly Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5800
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5800
Gr: K-5 | 441 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #88.
Sage Creek High School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3900 Bobcat Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6600
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,358 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #99.
Carrillo Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2875 Poinsettia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 290-2900
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 290-2900
Gr: K-5 | 756 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1010.
La Costa Heights Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3035 Levante St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 944-4375
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 944-4375
Gr: K-6 | 593 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1111.
Aviara Oaks Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6880 Ambrosia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6100
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6100
Gr: 6-8 | 985 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1212.
La Costa Meadows Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6889 El Fuerte St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 290-2121
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 290-2121
Gr: K-5 | 723 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1313.
Hope Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3010 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5900
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5900
Gr: K-5 | 657 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1414.
Mission Estancia Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3330 Calle Barcelona
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2004
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2004
Gr: K-6 | 376 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1515.
Buena Vista Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1330 Buena Vista Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5400
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5400
Gr: K-5 | 288 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1616.
Calavera Hills Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4100 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6300
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6300
Gr: K-5 | 407 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1717.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Gr: K-12 | 54 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1818.
Valley Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1645 Magnolia Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5300
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5300
Gr: 6-8 | 788 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Calavera Hills Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4104 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6400
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6400
Gr: 6-8 | 640 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Carlsbad High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5100
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5100
Gr: 9-12 | 2,365 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2121.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3743 Jefferson St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5500
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5500
Gr: K-5 | 478 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2222.
Carlsbad Village Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5100
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5100
Gr: 10-12 | 50 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Carlsbad, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Community Home Education (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
6401 Linda Vista Rd., Rm. 216
Carlsbad, CA 92011
(760) 471-6010
Carlsbad, CA 92011
(760) 471-6010
Gr: K-12 | 97 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
7100 Arenal Lane
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Gr: K-7 | 157 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Carlsbad, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Carlsbad, CA include Pacific Rim Elementary School, Aviara Oaks Elementary School and Magnolia Elementary School. Carlsbad has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
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?
87% of all K-12 students in Carlsbad are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
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 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Carlsbad are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Carlsbad include: Valley Middle School vs. Calavera Hills Middle School, Calavera Hills Middle School vs. Valley Middle School, Carlsbad Village Academy vs. Carlsbad High School
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