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Excellent

#679 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 7% 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

8.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#679 of 9,539

In Carlsbad

#3 of 22

public schools

In district

#1 of 9

Encinitas Union Elementary

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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La Costa Heights Elementary

8.6/10

Elementary School in Carlsbad · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mission Estancia Elementary

7.2/10

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

La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten

Nearby

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

About La Costa Heights Elementary

La Costa Heights Elementary is a public elementary school in Carlsbad, CA, part of Encinitas Union Elementary. La Costa Heights Elementary serves approximately 593 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 23.7:1 student-teacher ratio. La Costa Heights Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #679 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for La Costa Heights Elementary show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.9
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

La Costa Heights Elementary runs 23.7:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+28.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+39.4 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,135
Chronic Absenteeism15.5%

La Costa Heights Elementary — Students at La Costa Heights Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 74.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 80.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 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
81%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
89%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
73%
2015
Math
71%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
78%
ELA
81%
2018
Math
78%
ELA
80%
2019
Math
78%
ELA
80%
2022
Math
70.6%
ELA
73.3%
2024
Math
74.1%
ELA
82.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.

How La Costa Heights Elementary Compares

See how La Costa Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
93th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
6.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

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 9.3/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Aviara Oaks Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Park Dale Lane Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Encinitas), with a comparable rating. 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 7.2
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 6.7
El Camino Creek Elementary Carlsbad 1.0 mi 8.0
Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary Carlsbad 1.3 mi 8.0
Diegueno Middle Encinitas 1.5 mi 7.2
La Costa Meadows Elementary Carlsbad 1.6 mi 8.0
Flora Vista Elementary Encinitas 1.8 mi 7.5
Lingua Natal Encinitas 1.9 mi
Park Dale Lane Elementary Encinitas 2.3 mi 8.1
Poinsettia Elementary Carlsbad 2.7 mi 9.3
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF ENCINITAS Encinitas 2.7 mi
Carrillo Elementary Carlsbad 2.8 mi 6.7
Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad 2.6 mi 8.5
Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad 2.6 mi 8.5
JCS - Cedar Cove Julian 2.8 mi 8.6
Pacific Ridge School Carlsbad 3.0 mi
PACIFIC RIDGE SCHOOL Carlsbad 3.0 mi 6.4
Oak Crest Middle Encinitas 2.9 mi 7.4

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
Argonne Elementary San Francisco, CA 8.6
Audubon Elementary Foster City, CA 8.6
Benjamin Franklin Elementary Glendale, CA 8.6
Brookhaven Elementary Placentia, CA 8.6
Buena Terra Elementary Buena Park, CA 8.6
C. B. Eaton Elementary Cupertino, CA 8.6

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 ranks #679 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is La Costa Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

La Costa Heights Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 La Costa Heights Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, La Costa Heights Elementary has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

District

Encinitas Union Elementary
District Enrollment
4,444
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,135
District Rank
#1 of 9

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