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Average

#809 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 45% of private schools

Pacific Ridge School

High School

6269 EL FUERTE ST, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 22 schools in Carlsbad. Learn more

Enrollment

636

Student-Teacher

8:1

Score

6.4

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Carlsbad

#3 of 7

public schools

California high schools

#149 of 277

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Pacific Ridge School

Pacific Ridge School serves 636 students in grades 7-12 in Carlsbad, California. This high school maintains an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 8.0:1 with 79 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive significant individual attention. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #404 out of 1790 California schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide.

This high ranking reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence and student achievement. Pacific Ridge School is situated in an affluent area where the median household income reaches $163,402 and 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The community's strong educational values and low poverty rate of 6.3% create a supportive environment for student success.

With median home values of $1,158,900, the neighborhood demonstrates a significant investment in education and community resources. The school's location on El Fuerte Street places it within Carlsbad's thriving mid-size city environment, offering students access to both suburban amenities and proximity to San Diego's broader educational and cultural opportunities. This setting provides an ideal backdrop for academic growth within a well-established, education-focused community.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Pacific Ridge School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Pacific Ridge School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$46,997
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$49,088
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.04x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
90%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$84.7M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 636 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Pacific Ridge School compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Carlsbad, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
This School
vs
19.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
636
This School
vs
891
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.4
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 67.8% vs 0%
Black 7.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.1% vs 0%
Pacific Ridge School Carlsbad Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Pacific Ridge School (this school) 6.4
Aviara Oaks Middle 6.0
Sage Creek High 7.8
Calavera Hills Middle 7.1
Valley Middle 5.2
Carlsbad High 6.5
Carlsbad Village Academy 6.4
Carlsbad Seaside Academy 4.7

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,189.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 50%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 636
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 67.8%
Two or More 18.6%
Black 7.1%
Pacific Islander 3.3%
Hispanic 3.1%
Native American 0.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

6269 EL FUERTE ST, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pacific Ridge School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rancho Buena Vista High (rated 8.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Vista), which scores notably higher. Additionally, San Marcos High (rated 5.4/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby San Marcos), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Carlsbad, see our Carlsbad schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Pacific Ridge School Carlsbad 0.0 mi
Poinsettia Elementary Carlsbad 0.5 mi 8.9
Carrillo Elementary Carlsbad 0.7 mi 4.3
ASPIRATIONS SCHOOL OF LEARNING Carlsbad 0.9 mi
La Costa Meadows Elementary Carlsbad 1.4 mi 7.9
Sanderling Waldorf School Vista 2.0 mi
Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad 2.1 mi 6.0
Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad 2.1 mi 7.8
Redeemer by the Sea Lutheran Kindergarten and Preschool Carlsbad 2.2 mi
REDEEMER BY THE SEA LUTHERAN KINDERGARTEN&PRESCHL Carlsbad 2.2 mi 4.9
Rancho Buena Vista High Vista 2.8 mi 8.3
Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos 2.4 mi 5.0
La Costa Heights Elementary Carlsbad 3.0 mi 7.7
STARS MONTESSORI ACADEMY Vista 3.0 mi
San Marcos High San Marcos 2.6 mi 5.4
Big Tree Little Preschool Kindergarten Vista 3.1 mi
BIG TREE LITTLE PRESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN Vista 3.1 mi
La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten Carlsbad 3.2 mi
LA COSTA VALLEY PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Carlsbad 3.2 mi
El Camino Creek Elementary Carlsbad 3.3 mi 8.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pacific Ridge School 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
Alliance Margaret M. Bloomfield Technology Academy High Huntington Park, CA 6.4
Bassett Senior High La Puente, CA 6.4
Del Lago Academy - Campus of Applied Science Escondido, CA 6.4
Fremont Academy of Engineering and Design Pomona, CA 6.4
Health Sciences High and Middle College San Diego, CA 6.4
John Muir Charter Grass Valley, CA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pacific Ridge School

What grades does Pacific Ridge School serve?

Pacific Ridge School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Pacific Ridge School?

Pacific Ridge School has an enrollment of approximately 636 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pacific Ridge School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pacific Ridge School is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Pacific Ridge School rank in CA?

Pacific Ridge School is ranked #809 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Pacific Ridge School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pacific Ridge School has a composite rating of 6.4 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.

Is Pacific Ridge School a private school?

Yes, Pacific Ridge School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Pacific Ridge School a religious school?

No, Pacific Ridge School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,717/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carlsbad). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
636
Gender Split
51% M / 49% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
Teachers (FTE)
79
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
183 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
SAN DIEGO
Data Year
2022–2023

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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