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Very Good

#3392 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 36% in state

Pacific Trails Middle

Middle School · San Dieguito Union High

710 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024

Enrollment

980

Student-Teacher

24.5:1

Score

7.0

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Encinitas

#11 of 16

public schools

California middle schools

#471 of 1,349

In district

#8 of 10

San Dieguito Union High

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Pacific Trails Middle

Pacific Trails Middle serves 980 students in grades 7-8 in Encinitas, California, earning recognition as one of the top-performing middle schools in the state. With a ranking of #565 out of 9,566 California schools, placing it in the 94th percentile, the school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement that reflects its commitment to student success. The school's impressive test scores speak to its educational excellence, with 84% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 81% achieving proficiency in mathematics.

These strong results have earned Pacific Trails Middle an outstanding MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10, with an academic score of 9.8 out of 10. The school operates with 40 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 24.5:1. Located at 710 Encinitas Boulevard, Pacific Trails Middle sits in an affluent community where 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding neighborhood reflects stability and educational values, with a median household income of $141,329 and a low poverty rate of just 5.4%. This supportive environment, combined with median home values of nearly $1.3 million, creates a community deeply invested in educational excellence and student achievement.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Pacific Trails Middle is 24.5:1, 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 Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.6%
Math vs. State Avg+46.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+36.3 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment3.4Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,609

Pacific Trails Middle — Students at Pacific Trails Middle score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

10.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 81.4%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 84.5%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
83%
ELA
87%
2024
Math
80.9%
ELA
83.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.

How Pacific Trails Middle Compares

See how Pacific Trails Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in CA
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

710 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pacific Trails Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sage Canyon (rated 9.0/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pacific Sky (rated 8.7/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Solana Ranch Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Encinitas, see our Encinitas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Canyon Crest Academy Encinitas 0.2 mi 8.2
Amazing Grace online School San Diego 0.6 mi
Solana Ranch Elementary San Diego 0.6 mi 8.3
Pacific Sky San Diego 0.7 mi 8.7
Sycamore Ridge San Diego 0.8 mi 7.2
CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Diego 0.9 mi 4.5
Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego 1.4 mi 7.6
Diegueno Country School Rancho Santa Fe 2.1 mi
DIEGUENO COUNTRY SCHOOL Rancho Santa Fe 2.1 mi 6.6
Sage Canyon San Diego 2.5 mi 9.0
CAL COAST ACADEMY San Diego 2.3 mi 6.5
Westview High San Diego 2.2 mi 7.7
Solana Santa Fe Elementary Rancho Santa Fe 2.7 mi 7.4
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY San Diego 2.3 mi 7.2
Park Village Elementary San Diego 2.4 mi 6.6
Mesa Verde Middle San Diego 2.3 mi 7.5
HORIZON PREP Rancho Santa Fe 2.7 mi 7.4
Torrey Pines High Encinitas 2.3 mi 7.6
Lifetime Montessori School San Diego 2.6 mi
THE NATIVITY SCHOOL Rancho Santa Fe 2.7 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92024 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$149,080

Median Home Value

$1,409,700

Median Rent

$2,643/mo

Population

50,030

College Educated

66.8%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

44.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pacific Trails Middle has a median household income of $149,080. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,409,700, with a median rent of $2,643/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Adams (J. Douglas) Middle Brentwood, CA 7.0
Andrew Carnegie Middle Orangevale, CA 7.0
Bidwell Junior High Chico, CA 7.0
Bohannon Middle San Lorenzo, CA 7.0
California Middle Sacramento, CA 7.0
Cesar Chavez Junior High Ceres, CA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pacific Trails Middle

What grades does Pacific Trails Middle serve?

Pacific Trails Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Pacific Trails Middle?

Pacific Trails Middle has an enrollment of approximately 980 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pacific Trails Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Pacific Trails Middle is 24.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pacific Trails Middle rank in CA?

Pacific Trails Middle is ranked #3392 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Pacific Trails Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Pacific Trails Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Pacific Trails Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pacific Trails Middle has 81.4% math proficiency and 84.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pacific Trails Middle a charter school?

No, Pacific Trails Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pacific Trails Middle a Title I school?

No, Pacific Trails Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pacific Trails Middle?

10.9% of students at Pacific Trails Middle 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,166/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
980
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
10.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Dieguito Union High
District Enrollment
12,364
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,521
District Rank
#8 of 10

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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