Photo: Original uploader was Ohnoitsjamie at en.wikipedia · CC BY 2.0Encinitas’s public schools outscore 94% of California districts
In Encinitas, 66% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Encinitas, 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.
Encinitas’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 75% and math 66% 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 Encinitas Union Elementary $18,373, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
JCS - Cedar Cove, JCS - Mountain Oaks, The Rhoades School (private), Encinitas Country Day School (private), Grauer School the (private), Central Montessori Schools (private), Village Gate Children's Academy (private), Pacific Academy (private) and Seeds of Hope Academy (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 Encinitas’s grade
A: better than 94% of California school districts, #50 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 Encinitas, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Encinitas · depends on your address
Oak Crest Middle
Grades 7–8 · 758 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Diegueno Middle
Grades 7–8 · 737 students · 24:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Encinitas · depends on your address
Oak Crest Middle
Grades 7–8 · 758 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Diegueno Middle
Grades 7–8 · 737 students · 24:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Encinitas
San Dieguito HS Academy
Grades 9–12 · 1,843 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Encinitas
San Dieguito HS Academy
Grades 9–12 · 1,843 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Encinitas
San Dieguito HS Academy
Grades 9–12 · 1,843 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Encinitas
San Dieguito HS Academy
Grades 9–12 · 1,843 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Encinitas runs its own schools through grade 6 (Encinitas Union Elementary School District). From grade 7, students attend the San Dieguito Union High School District, shared with Carlsbad, Del Mar, San Diego, San Marcos and Solana Beach. Parts of Encinitas (15% and 2% of its land) are served by Cardiff Elementary and Solana Beach Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Encinitas
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
Encinitas vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Encinitas’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Encinitas | A | Encinitas Union Elementary K–6 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
| Carlsbad | A | Carlsbad Unified K–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
| Solana Beach | A+ | Solana Beach Elementary K–6 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
| San Marcos | A− | San Marcos Unified K–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 · Escondido Union High 9–12 |
All 3 neighbors share San Dieguito Union High with Encinitas for grades 7–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Encinitas
20 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 Encinitas’s schools
Are Encinitas’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Encinitas children attend outscore 94% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #50 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 92%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Encinitas in?
Two districts: Encinitas Union Elementary School District runs grades K–6, and San Dieguito Union High School District runs grades 7–12, shared with Carlsbad, Del Mar, San Diego, San Marcos and Solana Beach.
Where do Encinitas kids go to high school?
San Dieguito HS Academy, with 1,843 students.
What is Encinitas’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 Encinitas spend per student?
$15,720 in San Dieguito Union High School District and $18,373 in Encinitas Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Encinitas?
Yes: The Rhoades School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 342 students), Encinitas Country Day School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 289 students), Grauer School the (nonsectarian, grades 7–12, 160 students), Central Montessori Schools (nonsectarian, grades K, 141 students), Village Gate Children's Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 120 students), Pacific Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 113 students) and Seeds of Hope Academy (nonsectarian, grades 3–7, 11 students). Encinitas also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Encinitas families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Encinitas → 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.