Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Carlsbad’s public schools outscore 91% of California districts
On the state math tests, 63% of Carlsbad’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Carlsbad, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Carlsbad’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 75% and math 63% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
San Dieguito Union High spends $15,720 per student and Carlsbad Unified $15,702, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Patrick Catholic School (private), Army & Navy Academy (private), Carlsbad Christian Academy (private), Redeemer by the Sea Lutheran Kindergarten&preschl (private), Carlsbad Country Day School (private), La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten (private), Aspirations School of Learning (private), Village Montessori School (private) and Casa Montessori de Carlsbad (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Carlsbad’s grade
A: better than 91% of California school districts, #66 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carlsbad, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Carlsbad · depends on your address
Aviara Oaks Middle
Grades 6–8 · 991 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 807 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Calavera Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 655 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Carlsbad · depends on your address
Aviara Oaks Middle
Grades 6–8 · 991 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 807 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Calavera Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 655 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Carlsbad · depends on your address
Aviara Oaks Middle
Grades 6–8 · 991 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 807 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Calavera Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 655 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Carlsbad · depends on your address
Carlsbad High
Grades 9–12 · 2,336 students · 24:1 students per teacher
La Costa Canyon High
Grades 9–12 · 1,774 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Sage Creek High
Grades 9–12 · 1,289 students · 25:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Carlsbad · depends on your address
Carlsbad High
Grades 9–12 · 2,336 students · 24:1 students per teacher
La Costa Canyon High
Grades 9–12 · 1,774 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Sage Creek High
Grades 9–12 · 1,289 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Carlsbad runs its own schools through grade 12 (Carlsbad Unified School District). From grade 7, students attend the San Dieguito Union High School District, shared with Del Mar, Encinitas, San Diego, San Marcos and Solana Beach. Parts of Carlsbad (16% and 10% of its land) are served by Encinitas Union Elementary and San Marcos Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Carlsbad
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Carlsbad vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Carlsbad’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad | A | Carlsbad Unified K–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
| Encinitas | A | Encinitas Union Elementary K–6 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
| Oceanside | B | Oceanside Unified K–12 · Vista Unified K–12 |
| San Marcos | A− | San Marcos Unified K–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 · Escondido Union High 9–12 |
| Vista | B | Vista Unified |
2 of the 4 neighbors share San Dieguito Union High with Carlsbad for grades 7–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Carlsbad
32 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Carlsbad’s schools
Are Carlsbad’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Carlsbad children attend outscore 91% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #66 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 93%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Carlsbad in?
Two districts: Carlsbad Unified School District runs grades K–12, and San Dieguito Union High School District runs grades 7–12, shared with Del Mar, Encinitas, San Diego, San Marcos and Solana Beach.
Where do Carlsbad kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Carlsbad High, La Costa Canyon High and Sage Creek High.
What is Carlsbad’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in San Dieguito Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Carlsbad spend per student?
$15,720 in San Dieguito Union High School District and $15,702 in Carlsbad Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Carlsbad?
Yes: St. Patrick Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 478 students), Army & Navy Academy (nonsectarian · all-boys, grades 7–12, 258 students), Carlsbad Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 174 students), Redeemer by the Sea Lutheran Kindergarten&preschl (religious, grades PK–K, 146 students), Carlsbad Country Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 124 students), La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 102 students), Aspirations School of Learning (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 97 students), Village Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 48 students) and Casa Montessori de Carlsbad (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 48 students).
Parents talk
What Carlsbad families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carlsbad → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.