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
Enrollment
723
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
La Costa Meadows Elementary — Students at La Costa Meadows Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 8.6/10.
How La Costa Meadows Elementary Compares
See how La Costa Meadows Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 66% (2019) to 74.52% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 71.97% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (760) 290-2121
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Marcos Unified- District Enrollment
- 19,374
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,639
- District Rank
- #2 of 19
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.