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Excellent

#1632 of 9,539 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

8.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,632 of 9,539

In Carlsbad

#12 of 22

public schools

In district

#2 of 19

San Marcos Unified

Equity

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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La Costa Meadows Elementary

8.0/10

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

Carrillo Elementary

6.7/10

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

Poinsettia Elementary

9.3/10

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

About La Costa Meadows Elementary

La Costa Meadows Elementary is a public elementary school in Carlsbad, CA, part of San Marcos Unified. La Costa Meadows Elementary serves approximately 723 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.3:1 student-teacher ratio. La Costa Meadows Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,632 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for La Costa Meadows Elementary show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

La Costa Meadows Elementary runs 23.3:1 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 Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+28.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.2 pts
Overall Proficiency73% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,639
Chronic Absenteeism14.4%

La Costa Meadows Elementary — Students at La Costa Meadows Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

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 73.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 75.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 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
79%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
68%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
76%
2018
Math
66%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
66%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
76.9%
ELA
68.5%
2024
Math
74.5%
ELA
71.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.

How La Costa Meadows Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
83th percentile in CA
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

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

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 9.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is La Costa Heights Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Aviara Oaks Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.7
Poinsettia Elementary Carlsbad 1.3 mi 9.3
Pacific Ridge School Carlsbad 1.4 mi
PACIFIC RIDGE SCHOOL Carlsbad 1.4 mi 6.4
La Costa Heights Elementary Carlsbad 1.6 mi 8.6
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 7.2
La Costa Canyon High Encinitas 2.2 mi 6.7
El Camino Creek Elementary Carlsbad 2.2 mi 8.0
Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad 2.1 mi 8.5
Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad 2.1 mi 8.5
Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos 2.4 mi 5.6
Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary Carlsbad 2.9 mi 8.0
San Marcos High San Marcos 2.8 mi 5.7
San Elijo Middle San Marcos 2.6 mi 5.8
Diegueno Middle Encinitas 3.1 mi 7.2
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Achieve Academy Oakland, CA 8.0
Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion Atherton, CA 8.0
Aviation Elementary Hawthorne, CA 8.0
Bay Park Elementary San Diego, CA 8.0
Bethune K-8 San Diego, CA 8.0
Brightwood Elementary Monterey Park, CA 8.0

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 ranks #1,632 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is La Costa Meadows Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

La Costa Meadows Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Meadows Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, La Costa Meadows Elementary has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

District

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

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