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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Carlsbad Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 15,738 students in Carlsbad, CA (there are 19 private schools, serving 2,521 private students). 85% 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 64% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 72% (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 41% 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 (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pacific Rim Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1100 Camino De Las Ondas
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6200
Gr: K-5 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
Aviara Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6900 Ambrosia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6000
Gr: K-5 | 612 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #33.
Magnolia Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1905 Magnolia Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5600
Gr: K-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
Poinsettia Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2445 Mica Rd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6500
Gr: K-5 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #55.
El Camino Creek Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7885 Paseo Aliso
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2051
Gr: K-6 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #66.
Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
8000 Calle Acervo
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2000
Gr: K-6 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #77.
Kelly Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4885 Kelly Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5800
Gr: K-5 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
Sage Creek High School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3900 Bobcat Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,289 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #99.
Carrillo Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2875 Poinsettia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 290-2900
Gr: K-5 | 725 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1010.
La Costa Heights Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3035 Levante St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 944-4375
Gr: K-6 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1111.
Aviara Oaks Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6880 Ambrosia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6100
Gr: 6-8 | 991 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1212.
La Costa Meadows Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6889 El Fuerte St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 290-2121
Gr: K-5 | 725 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1313.
Hope Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3010 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5900
Gr: K-5 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1414.
Mission Estancia Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3330 Calle Barcelona
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 943-2004
Gr: K-6 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1515.
Buena Vista Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1330 Buena Vista Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5400
Gr: K-5 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1616.
Calavera Hills Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4100 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6300
Gr: K-5 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1717.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3557 Lancer Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5200
Gr: K-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1818.
Valley Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1645 Magnolia Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5300
Gr: 6-8 | 807 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Calavera Hills Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4104 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6400
Gr: 6-8 | 655 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Carlsbad High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3557 Lancer Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5100
Gr: 9-12 | 2,336 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2121.
La Costa Canyon High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1 Maverick Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 436-6136
Gr: 9-12 | 1,774 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2222.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3743 Jefferson St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5500
Gr: K-5 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2323.
Carlsbad Village Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3557 Lancer Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5200
Gr: 10-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 70%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Carlsbad, CA?
How many public schools are located in Carlsbad?
23 public schools are located in Carlsbad.
What percentage of students in Carlsbad go to public school?
85% 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 41% 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?

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