Poinsettia Elementary

Poinsettia Elementary is a public elementary school in Carlsbad, California, serving 509 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with an academic score of 9.9 and a growth score of 9.7. That combination places Poinsettia first among all 22 schools in Carlsbad, and it outperforms 98% of public schools statewide.

The performance holds up under state-level scrutiny as well. Poinsettia ranks 112th among 5,817 California elementary schools — a top-2% finish in one of the country's most competitive education markets. Both academic achievement and student growth score near the ceiling, which means students here aren't just testing well — they're making measurable forward progress year over year.

The school runs at a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1, in line with California public school norms. At 509 students across six grade levels, the enrollment supports structured academic programming without the anonymity of larger campuses. For families weighing elementary options in North County San Diego, Poinsettia's combination of exceptional absolute scores and strong growth trajectory puts it among the most compelling choices in the area — and the data backs that up at every level of comparison.

The student-teacher ratio at Poinsettia Elementary is 22.1:1, 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.