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)
(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 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 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 | 612 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
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 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
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 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
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 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
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 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
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 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
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 | 725 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #99.
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 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 991 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1111.
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 | 725 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1212.
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 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1313.
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 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1414.
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 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1515.
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 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1616.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3557 Lancer Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5200
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:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1645 Magnolia Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5300
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4104 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6400
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3743 Jefferson St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5500
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?
The top-ranked public elementary 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 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?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Carlsbad include: Valley Middle School vs. Calavera Hills Middle School, Calavera Hills Middle School vs. Valley Middle School, Poinsettia Elementary School vs. Aviara Oaks Elementary School
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
