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Excellent

#932 of 9,539 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

8.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#932 of 9,539

In Carlsbad

#7 of 22

public schools

In district

#6 of 16

Carlsbad Unified

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Buena Vista Elementary

8.4/10

Elementary School in Carlsbad · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Coastal Sage Montessori

Nearby

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Carlsbad Christian Academy

4.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Buena Vista Elementary

Buena Vista Elementary is a public elementary school in Carlsbad, CA, part of Carlsbad Unified. Buena Vista Elementary serves approximately 288 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Buena Vista Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #932 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Buena Vista Elementary show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.2
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Buena Vista Elementary runs 22.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

31% of students at Buena Vista Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+27.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.5 pts
Overall Proficiency72% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,076
Chronic Absenteeism31.2%

Buena Vista Elementary — Students at Buena Vista Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 70.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 69.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
64.2%
ELA
71.6%
2024
Math
73%
ELA
70.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.

How Buena Vista Elementary Compares

See how Buena Vista Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Jefferson Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, SANDERLING WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 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 6.4
Carlsbad Village Academy Carlsbad 0.9 mi 5.5
Carlsbad Seaside Academy Carlsbad 0.9 mi 6.6
South Oceanside Elementary Oceanside 1.0 mi 4.7
Valley Middle Carlsbad 1.1 mi 7.3
Jefferson Elementary Carlsbad 1.2 mi 6.4
SANDERLING WALDORF SCHOOL Carlsbad 1.2 mi 6.1
Magnolia Elementary Carlsbad 1.2 mi 8.5
Palmquist Elementary Oceanside 1.3 mi 5.1
Oceanside Adventist Elementary Oceanside 1.4 mi
OCEANSIDE ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Oceanside 1.4 mi 4.9
Lincoln Middle Oceanside 1.5 mi 6.6
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL Oceanside 1.7 mi
Surfside High (Continuation) Oceanside 1.8 mi 5.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego, CA 8.4
Braly Elementary Sunnyvale, CA 8.4
Buena Vista Elementary Tulare, CA 8.4
Carmel River Elementary Carmel, CA 8.4
Chualar Elementary Chualar, CA 8.4
Cresson Elementary Norwalk, CA 8.4

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 ranks #932 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Buena Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Buena Vista Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Buena Vista Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Buena Vista Elementary has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.2%

District

Carlsbad Unified
District Enrollment
10,832
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,076
District Rank
#6 of 16

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