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Average

#4350 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 46% in state

Carlsbad High

High School · Carlsbad Unified

6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Enrollment

2,365

Student-Teacher

23:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carlsbad

#14 of 22

public schools

California high schools

#872 of 1,892

In district

#10 of 16

Carlsbad Unified

Equity

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Carlsbad High

Carlsbad High serves 2,365 students in grades 9-12 in the affluent coastal community of Carlsbad, California. With 103 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 23:1 student-teacher ratio while earning a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 74th percentile statewide at #2458 out of 9566 California high schools. Academically, Carlsbad High demonstrates strong performance in English Language Arts, with 68% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 42% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 8.0 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement in this high-performing district. The school draws from an educated and prosperous community where 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $163,402.

With a low poverty rate of just 6.3% and median home values of over $1.1 million, the surrounding neighborhood reflects the economic advantages typical of North County San Diego's coastal communities. Carlsbad High sits along El Camino Real in this mid-size coastal city known for its beaches, family-friendly atmosphere, and strong commitment to education.

What Parents Should Know

Carlsbad High is a large school with 2,365 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Carlsbad High is 23:1, 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.8%
Math vs. State Avg+14.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.9 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected-8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College Readiness8.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,677

Carlsbad High — Students at Carlsbad High score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 67.9%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
58%
ELA
68%
2024
Math
42.2%
ELA
67.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Carlsbad High Compares

See how Carlsbad High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
103 teachers

Location

6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carlsbad High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carlsbad Village Academy (rated 6.4/10), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Carlsbad, see our Carlsbad schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Carlsbad Village Academy Carlsbad 0.0 mi 6.4
Carlsbad Seaside Academy Carlsbad 0.0 mi 4.7
Magnolia Elementary Carlsbad 0.3 mi 7.5
SANDERLING WALDORF SCHOOL Carlsbad 0.3 mi 6.1
Valley Middle Carlsbad 0.4 mi 5.2
CARLSBAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carlsbad 0.4 mi 4.2
Coastal Sage Montessori Carlsbad 0.8 mi
Buena Vista Elementary Carlsbad 0.9 mi 8.2
CASA MONTESSORI DE CARLSBAD Carlsbad 0.9 mi
Jefferson Elementary Carlsbad 1.0 mi 5.6
VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Carlsbad 1.0 mi
Kelly Elementary Carlsbad 1.5 mi 7.1
California Accelerated Learning (CAL) Prep Oceanside 1.5 mi
CALIFORNIA ACCELERATED LEARNING INSTITUTE Oceanside 1.5 mi
Army and Navy Academy Carlsbad 1.5 mi
ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY Carlsbad 1.5 mi 8.5
Hope Elementary Carlsbad 1.5 mi 7.8
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL Oceanside 2.0 mi
South Oceanside Elementary Oceanside 1.9 mi 4.2
CARLSBAD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Carlsbad 2.0 mi 6.7

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 Carlsbad High 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
Antelope High Antelope, CA 6.5
Canoga Park Senior High Canoga Park, CA 6.5
Clovis East High Clovis, CA 6.5
Crescent View West Public Charter Fresno, CA 6.5
Edison High Huntington Beach, CA 6.5
Fountain Valley High Fountain Valley, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carlsbad High

What grades does Carlsbad High serve?

Carlsbad High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Carlsbad High?

Carlsbad High has an enrollment of approximately 2,365 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carlsbad High?

The student-teacher ratio at Carlsbad High is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carlsbad High rank in CA?

Carlsbad High is ranked #4350 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Carlsbad High's MySchoolScout rating?

Carlsbad High has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Carlsbad High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carlsbad High has 47.5% math proficiency and 67.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carlsbad High a charter school?

No, Carlsbad High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Carlsbad High a Title I school?

No, Carlsbad High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carlsbad High?

20.4% of students at Carlsbad High 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
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,717/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carlsbad). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,365
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
Teachers (FTE)
103
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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