Very Good
#1845 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 19% in state
La Costa Heights Elementary
Elementary School · Encinitas Union Elementary
3035 Levante St., Carlsbad, CA 92009
Enrollment
593
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
593
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carlsbad
#9 of 22
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,287 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 9
Encinitas Union Elementary
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About La Costa Heights Elementary
La Costa Heights Elementary serves 593 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Carlsbad, California. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.7 to 1. This public elementary school has earned recognition as one of California's top performers, ranking 514th out of 9,566 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 95th percentile.
Students at La Costa Heights demonstrate strong academic achievement, with 82% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 74% reaching proficiency in mathematics. The school's impressive 9.6 out of 10 academic score reflects consistent excellence across grade levels. Located at 3035 Levante Street, the school serves families in the 92009 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $163,402 and 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The community's low poverty rate of 6.3% and median home values of $1,158,900 indicate a well-established neighborhood that prioritizes education. La Costa Heights Elementary operates within Carlsbad's mid-size city environment, providing students with access to both suburban family living and the educational resources that come with being part of San Diego County's dynamic coastal region.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at La Costa Heights Elementary is 23.7:1, 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
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La Costa Heights Elementary — Students at La Costa Heights Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
11.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 7.8/10.
How La Costa Heights Elementary Compares
See how La Costa Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 74.08% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 80% (2019) to 82.2% (2024).
Location
3035 Levante St., Carlsbad, CA 92009
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering La Costa Heights Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Poinsettia Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is El Camino Creek Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Carlsbad, see our Carlsbad schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Estancia Elementary Carlsbad | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| LA COSTA VALLEY PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Carlsbad | 0.7 mi | — |
| La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten Carlsbad | 0.7 mi | — |
| La Costa Canyon High Encinitas | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| El Camino Creek Elementary Carlsbad | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary Carlsbad | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Diegueno Middle Encinitas | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| La Costa Meadows Elementary Carlsbad | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Flora Vista Elementary Encinitas | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Lingua Natal Encinitas | 1.9 mi | — |
| Park Dale Lane Elementary Encinitas | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Poinsettia Elementary Carlsbad | 2.7 mi | 8.9 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF ENCINITAS Encinitas | 2.7 mi | — |
| Carrillo Elementary Carlsbad | 2.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| JCS - Cedar Cove Julian | 2.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Pacific Ridge School Carlsbad | 3.0 mi | — |
| PACIFIC RIDGE SCHOOL Carlsbad | 3.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Oak Crest Middle Encinitas | 2.9 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 La Costa Heights 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 |
|---|---|
| Altamont Elementary Mountain House, CA | 7.7 |
| Anthony G. Bacich Elementary Kentfield, CA | 7.7 |
| Armada Elementary Moreno Valley, CA | 7.7 |
| Arroyo Elementary Tustin, CA | 7.7 |
| Bay Elementary San Lorenzo, CA | 7.7 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elementary Glendale, CA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about La Costa Heights Elementary
What grades does La Costa Heights Elementary serve?
La Costa Heights Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend La Costa Heights Elementary?
La Costa Heights Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 593 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at La Costa Heights Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at La Costa Heights Elementary is 23.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does La Costa Heights Elementary rank in CA?
La Costa Heights Elementary is ranked #1845 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is La Costa Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
La Costa Heights Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 La Costa Heights Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Costa Heights Elementary has 74.7% math proficiency and 82.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is La Costa Heights Elementary a charter school?
No, La Costa Heights Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is La Costa Heights Elementary a Title I school?
No, La Costa Heights Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Costa Heights Elementary?
11.6% of students at La Costa Heights 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
- 18 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 23 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 32 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 – 6th
- Enrollment
- 593
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (760) 944-4375
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Encinitas Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,444
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,135
- District Rank
- #3 of 9
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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