Below Average
#8794 of 9,533 schools in CA
Santa Margarita Elementary
Elementary School · Oceanside Unified
1 Carnes Rd., Oceanside, CA 92058
Enrollment
556
Student-Teacher
23.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
556
Student-Teacher
23.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oceanside
#27 of 28
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,256 of 5,817
In district
#22 of 23
Oceanside Unified
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Santa Margarita Elementary
Santa Margarita Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural outskirts of Oceanside, California. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 556 students and employs 24 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 23.2:1. The school's academic performance is rated at 5.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it #4960 among 9566 schools in California (placing it around the 48th percentile).
Students perform slightly above average in English Language Arts and Reading with 51% reaching proficiency or better, while math scores show that 37% of students are proficient or above. Santa Margarita Elementary focuses on providing a supportive educational environment for its diverse student body. The school's rural setting offers a peaceful atmosphere away from urban distractions, fostering a close-knit community among students and families.
With room for academic growth, the school continues to work diligently to improve test scores while emphasizing overall student development. Santa Margarita Elementary is nestled in a serene countryside near Oceanside, offering a unique blend of rural charm and educational opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Margarita Elementary is 23.2:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Santa Margarita Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Santa Margarita Elementary — Students at Santa Margarita Elementary score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.5/10.
How Santa Margarita Elementary Compares
See how Santa Margarita Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 34.56% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 47.97% (2024).
Location
1 Carnes Rd., Oceanside, CA 92058
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Santa Margarita Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pablo Tac School of the Arts (rated 8.2/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stuart Mesa Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oceanside, see our Oceanside schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Terrace Elementary Oceanside | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Laurel Elementary Oceanside | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Jefferson Middle Oceanside | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Oceanside Unified School District Adult Transition Program Oceanside | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Mission Elementary Oceanside | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| TERI LEARNING ACADEMY Oceanside | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| TERI, INC. THE COUNTRY SCHOOL Oceanside | 2.0 mi | — |
| TERI- The Learning Academy Oceanside | 2.1 mi | — |
| TERI, INC. The Country School Oceanside | 2.1 mi | — |
| Oceanside High Oceanside | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Stuart Mesa Elementary Oceanside | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| St. Mary Star of the Sea Elementary Oceanside | 3.1 mi | — |
| ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL Oceanside | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Pablo Tac School of the Arts Oceanside | 2.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Surfside High (Continuation) Oceanside | 3.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Surfside Academy Oceanside | 3.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Louise Foussat Elementary Oceanside | 2.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Lincoln Middle Oceanside | 3.4 mi | 5.2 |
| OCEANSIDE ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Oceanside | 3.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Oceanside Adventist Elementary Oceanside | 3.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92058 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,479
Median Home Value
$609,000
Median Rent
$2,583/mo
Population
49,189
College Educated
26.3%
Homeownership
28.3%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
24.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Santa Margarita Elementary has a median household income of $72,479. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $609,000, with a median rent of $2,583/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Ann Soldo Elementary Watsonville, CA | 4.1 |
| Aspire Vincent Shalvey Academy Oakland, CA | 4.1 |
| Aynesworth Elementary Fresno, CA | 4.1 |
| Breeze Hill Elementary Vista, CA | 4.1 |
| California Avenue Elementary Riverbank, CA | 4.1 |
| Camino Real Elementary Jurupa Valley, CA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Margarita Elementary
What grades does Santa Margarita Elementary serve?
Santa Margarita Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Santa Margarita Elementary?
Santa Margarita Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 556 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Margarita Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Margarita Elementary is 23.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Santa Margarita Elementary rank in CA?
Santa Margarita Elementary is ranked #8794 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Santa Margarita Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Margarita Elementary has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Santa Margarita Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Margarita Elementary has 36.7% math proficiency and 50.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Santa Margarita Elementary a charter school?
No, Santa Margarita Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Santa Margarita Elementary a Title I school?
No, Santa Margarita Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Margarita Elementary?
64.7% of students at Santa Margarita 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,144/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oceanside). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 556
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (760) 901-7900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oceanside Unified- District Enrollment
- 15,297
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,136
- District Rank
- #22 of 23
Other Schools in This District
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.
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