Excellent
#973 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 10% in state
Buena Vista Elementary
Elementary School · Carlsbad Unified
6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carlsbad
#3 of 22
public schools
California elementary schools
#697 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 16
Carlsbad Unified
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Buena Vista Elementary
Buena Vista Elementary is a public elementary school in Carlsbad, CA, part of the Carlsbad Unified. The school serves approximately 288 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 22.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 89.8th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 72% proficiency in math, 32 points above the state average and 71% in reading/language arts, 26 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $162,128, where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary is 22.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Buena Vista Elementary — Students at Buena Vista Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.
How Buena Vista Elementary Compares
See how Buena Vista Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 73.15% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 70.27% (2024).
Location
6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buena Vista Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Magnolia Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is SANDERLING WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Jefferson Elementary (rated 5.6/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Carlsbad, see our Carlsbad schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Sage Montessori Carlsbad | 0.1 mi | — |
| CARLSBAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carlsbad | 0.5 mi | 4.2 |
| VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Carlsbad | 0.8 mi | — |
| Army and Navy Academy Carlsbad | 0.8 mi | — |
| ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY Carlsbad | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| CASA MONTESSORI DE CARLSBAD Carlsbad | 1.0 mi | — |
| Carlsbad High Carlsbad | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Carlsbad Village Academy Carlsbad | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Carlsbad Seaside Academy Carlsbad | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| South Oceanside Elementary Oceanside | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Valley Middle Carlsbad | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary Carlsbad | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| SANDERLING WALDORF SCHOOL Carlsbad | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Magnolia Elementary Carlsbad | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Palmquist Elementary Oceanside | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Oceanside Adventist Elementary Oceanside | 1.4 mi | — |
| OCEANSIDE ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Oceanside | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Lincoln Middle Oceanside | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL Oceanside | 1.7 mi | — |
| Surfside High (Continuation) Oceanside | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92009 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$162,128
Median Home Value
$1,219,600
Median Rent
$2,955/mo
Population
45,778
College Educated
64.4%
Homeownership
72.7%
Avg Commute
28.7 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buena Vista Elementary has a median household income of $162,128. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,219,600, with a median rent of $2,955/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Carmel, CA | 8.2 |
| ALTA VISTA SCHOOL San Francisco, CA | 8.2 |
| Alta Loma Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.2 |
| Andres and Maria Cardenas Elementary Van Nuys, CA | 8.2 |
| Arbolita Elementary La Habra, CA | 8.2 |
| Aspen Elementary Thousand Oaks, CA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buena Vista Elementary
What grades does Buena Vista Elementary serve?
Buena Vista Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Buena Vista Elementary?
Buena Vista Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 288 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buena Vista Elementary rank in CA?
Buena Vista Elementary is ranked #973 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Buena Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buena Vista Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Buena Vista Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buena Vista Elementary has 71.8% math proficiency and 71.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buena Vista Elementary a charter school?
No, Buena Vista Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buena Vista Elementary a Title I school?
No, Buena Vista Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buena Vista Elementary?
26.7% of students at Buena Vista Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 50 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 36 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 41 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,717/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carlsbad). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 288
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (760) 331-5400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carlsbad Unified- District Enrollment
- 10,832
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,076
- District Rank
- #2 of 16
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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