Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Elementary Schools in Carlsbad, CA (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Carlsbad Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public elementary schools serving 10,301 students in Carlsbad, CA. The top-ranked public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 73% (versus the 46% statewide average). Elementary schools in Carlsbad have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of California public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary 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.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Carlsbad, CA?
How many public elementary schools are located in Carlsbad?
19 public elementary schools are located in Carlsbad.
What is the racial composition of students in Carlsbad?
Carlsbad public elementary schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Carlsbad are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (CA):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

California Top-Ranked Public Schools
California Top-Ranked Public Schools
 Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
 The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
 Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)

More Articles

Scholarships
Public School Jobs
Parenting and Learning Issues
Public School Policies
Teaching