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Excellent

#267 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 3% in state

La Paloma Elementary

Elementary School · Fallbrook Union Elementary

300 Heald Ln., Fallbrook, CA 92028

Enrollment

524

Student-Teacher

22.8:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fallbrook

#1 of 10

public schools

California elementary schools

#211 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 9

Fallbrook Union Elementary

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About La Paloma Elementary

La Paloma Elementary is a public elementary school in Fallbrook, CA, part of the Fallbrook Union Elementary. The school serves approximately 524 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 22.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 97.2th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 53% proficiency in math, 15 points above the state average and 62% in reading/language arts, 17 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $102,346, where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe town setting.

What's said publicly about La Paloma Elementary

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

La Paloma Elementary School has received multiple recognitions, including being honored as a 2025 California Distinguished School by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond 1 . The school also appears on the 2025-26 ERP STAR School list and the California Honor Roll List 1 . Additionally, it is featured on California’s Top School Innovate Public Schools Top Schools in California 2025 list 1 . La Paloma Elementary earned the 2025 Leader in Me Lighthouse Academic Honor Roll Recognition 1 . Recent activities include hosting a Leadership Ceremony to honor student leadership and receive ERP Star School recognition in April 2026 1 . The school celebrated student achievement and reclassification milestones with a Leadership Assembly in March 2026 1 . In December 2025, the school created a new butterfly garden through a community partnership and hosted an engaging Fall Camp through the FUESD ELO Program 1 . A Career Day event was held in November 2025, and veterans were honored through song and celebration during the same month 1 . TK and Kindergarten registration opened in April 2026 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. lap.fuesd.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at La Paloma Elementary is 22.8:1, 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 Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.6%
Math vs. State Avg+7.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.8 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+28.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,463

La Paloma Elementary — Students at La Paloma Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 53.3%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 62.3%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
58%
2024
Math
54.6%
ELA
63.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.

How La Paloma Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
97th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

300 Heald Ln., Fallbrook, CA 92028

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Paloma Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fallbrook STEM Academy (rated 8.8/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Live Oak Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Oceanside), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fallbrook, see our Fallbrook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Fallbrook Virtual Academy Fallbrook 0.0 mi 4.7
Zion Christian Preschool & Kindergarten Fallbrook 0.4 mi
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fallbrook 0.5 mi 6.4
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School Fallbrook 0.5 mi
ST PETER THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fallbrook 0.6 mi 5.7
William H. Frazier Elementary Fallbrook 0.8 mi 5.3
ALPHA AND OMEGA ACADEMY Fallbrook 0.9 mi 4.9
James E. Potter Intermediate Fallbrook 1.1 mi 7.3
Santa Margarita Academy Fallbrook 1.2 mi
Maie Ellis Elementary Fallbrook 1.2 mi 5.7
Fallbrook STEM Academy Fallbrook 1.2 mi 8.8
Live Oak Elementary Fallbrook 1.2 mi 8.8
Helling Christian School Fallbrook 1.6 mi
Oasis High (Alternative) Fallbrook 1.9 mi 5.3
Fallbrook High Fallbrook 2.2 mi 8.3
Ivy High (Continuation) Fallbrook 2.2 mi 5.7
Hope City Fallbrook 2.2 mi
Topview Academy Fallbrook 3.6 mi
North County Christian School Bonsall 5.8 mi
Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary Oceanside 5.5 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92028 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$102,346

Median Home Value

$781,200

Median Rent

$1,743/mo

Population

50,905

College Educated

35.4%

Homeownership

71.3%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

38.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding La Paloma Elementary has a median household income of $102,346. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $781,200, with a median rent of $1,743/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Buena Vista Arts-Integrated Montclair, CA 8.9
Christopher Dena Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.9
Clover Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.9
Cortada Elementary El Monte, CA 8.9
Dahlia Heights Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.9
Dearborn Elementary Charter Academy Northridge, CA 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Paloma Elementary

What grades does La Paloma Elementary serve?

La Paloma Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend La Paloma Elementary?

La Paloma Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 524 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Paloma Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at La Paloma Elementary is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Paloma Elementary rank in CA?

La Paloma Elementary is ranked #267 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is La Paloma Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

La Paloma Elementary has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Paloma Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Paloma Elementary has 53.3% math proficiency and 62.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is La Paloma Elementary a charter school?

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

Is La Paloma Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

78.8% of students at La Paloma 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
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (114/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fallbrook Union Elementary
District Enrollment
5,124
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,116
District Rank
#2 of 9

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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