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Very Good

#1580 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 17% in state

La Costa Meadows Elementary

Elementary School · San Marcos Unified

6889 El Fuerte, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Enrollment

723

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carlsbad

#5 of 22

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,112 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 19

San Marcos Unified

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About La Costa Meadows Elementary

La Costa Meadows Elementary serves 723 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Carlsbad, California, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking in the 92nd percentile among California's 9,566 elementary schools, the school demonstrates strong academic achievement across core subjects. Students consistently excel in both English Language Arts and mathematics, with 72% achieving proficiency or above in reading and an impressive 75% meeting or exceeding standards in math.

The school operates with 31 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 23.3 to 1, which allows for meaningful classroom instruction and student support. La Costa Meadows draws from an affluent and highly educated community where 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $163,402. This strong educational foundation at home complements the school's academic focus, creating an environment where students can thrive academically.

The school is situated in Carlsbad's desirable 92009 zip code area, a mid-size city setting that combines suburban comfort with proximity to San Diego County's many educational and cultural opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at La Costa Meadows Elementary is 23.3:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+28.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.2 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,981

La Costa Meadows Elementary — Students at La Costa Meadows Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.8%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 72.9%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
66%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
74.5%
ELA
71.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.

How La Costa Meadows Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in CA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

6889 El Fuerte, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Costa Meadows Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Poinsettia Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is El Camino Creek Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Carlsbad, see our Carlsbad schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Carrillo Elementary Carlsbad 1.2 mi 4.3
Poinsettia Elementary Carlsbad 1.3 mi 8.9
Pacific Ridge School Carlsbad 1.4 mi
PACIFIC RIDGE SCHOOL Carlsbad 1.4 mi 6.4
La Costa Heights Elementary Carlsbad 1.6 mi 7.7
LA COSTA VALLEY PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Carlsbad 2.0 mi
La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten Carlsbad 2.0 mi
ASPIRATIONS SCHOOL OF LEARNING Carlsbad 1.9 mi
Mission Estancia Elementary Carlsbad 2.1 mi 6.3
La Costa Canyon High Encinitas 2.2 mi 7.2
El Camino Creek Elementary Carlsbad 2.2 mi 8.4
Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad 2.1 mi 6.0
Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad 2.1 mi 7.8
Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos 2.4 mi 5.0
Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary Carlsbad 2.9 mi 8.2
San Marcos High San Marcos 2.8 mi 5.4
San Elijo Middle San Marcos 2.6 mi 4.3
Diegueno Middle Encinitas 3.1 mi 5.5
Redeemer by the Sea Lutheran Kindergarten and Preschool Carlsbad 2.7 mi
Sanderling Waldorf School Vista 3.1 mi

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 Meadows 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
Ayer Elementary Fresno, CA 7.9
Boulder Creek Elementary Redding, CA 7.9
Butterfield Language Academy Moreno Valley, CA 7.9
Captain Leland Norton Elementary San Bernardino, CA 7.9
Carroll Elementary Elk Grove, CA 7.9
Carver (Charles J.) Elementary Cerritos, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Costa Meadows Elementary

What grades does La Costa Meadows Elementary serve?

La Costa Meadows Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend La Costa Meadows Elementary?

La Costa Meadows Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 723 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Costa Meadows Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at La Costa Meadows Elementary is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Costa Meadows Elementary rank in CA?

La Costa Meadows Elementary is ranked #1580 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is La Costa Meadows Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

La Costa Meadows Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Meadows Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Costa Meadows Elementary has 72.8% math proficiency and 72.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is La Costa Meadows Elementary a charter school?

No, La Costa Meadows Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is La Costa Meadows Elementary a Title I school?

No, La Costa Meadows Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Costa Meadows Elementary?

14.8% of students at La Costa Meadows 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
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
11 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
16 Somewhat 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
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
723
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Marcos Unified
District Enrollment
19,374
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,639
District Rank
#2 of 19

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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