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
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
Enrollment
636
Student-Teacher
8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Pacific Ridge School compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Carlsbad, CA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (760) 448-9836
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.