Average
#5899 of 9,539 schools in CA
Turtleback Elementary
Elementary School · Poway Unified
15855 Turtleback Rd., San Diego, CA 92127
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,899 of 9,539
In San Diego
#189 of 288
public schools
In district
#37 of 38
Poway Unified
Equity
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Turtleback Elementary
Elementary School in San Diego · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rolling Hills Elementary
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Poway to Palomar Middle College High
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Turtleback Elementary
Turtleback Elementary is a public elementary school in San Diego, CA, part of Poway Unified. Turtleback Elementary serves approximately 500 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Turtleback Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #5,899 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Turtleback Elementary show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- District avg 7.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Turtleback Elementary runs 22.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Turtleback Elementary — Students at Turtleback Elementary score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 4.7/10.
How Turtleback Elementary Compares
See how Turtleback Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
15855 Turtleback Rd., San Diego, CA 92127
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Turtleback Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rolling Hills Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Design 39 Campus (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Westwood Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Hills Elementary San Diego | 1.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Poway to Palomar Middle College High San Diego | 1.3 mi | — |
| DOT TO DOT San Diego | 1.2 mi | — |
| Praxis Elite Sports Academy San Diego | 1.3 mi | — |
| Amazing Grace Christian School San Diego | 1.3 mi | — |
| Bernardo Heights Middle San Diego | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Oak Valley Middle San Diego | 1.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Rancho Bernardo High San Diego | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Highland Ranch Elementary San Diego | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Westwood Elementary San Diego | 1.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Stone Ranch Elementary San Diego | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL Poway | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| LifeBridge Academy San Diego | 2.1 mi | — |
| Monterey Ridge Elementary San Diego | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Country Montessori School of Poway Poway | 1.9 mi | — |
| Los Penasquitos Elementary San Diego | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Del Norte High San Diego | 2.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Shoal Creek Elementary San Diego | 2.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Design 39 Campus San Diego | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Abraxas Continuation High Poway | 2.6 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92127 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$179,220
Median Home Value
$1,165,100
Median Rent
$2,642/mo
Population
50,711
College Educated
72.4%
Homeownership
72.4%
Avg Commute
25.3 min
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Median Age
38.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Albany Park Elementary Delano, CA | 5.8 |
| Arroyo Elementary Ontario, CA | 5.8 |
| Avalon Elementary Perris, CA | 5.8 |
| BAIS CHAYA MUSHKA Los Angeles, CA | 5.8 |
| Bay Elementary San Lorenzo, CA | 5.8 |
| C. W. Dillard Elementary Wilton, CA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Turtleback Elementary
What grades does Turtleback Elementary serve?
Turtleback Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Turtleback Elementary?
Turtleback Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 500 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Turtleback Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Turtleback Elementary is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Turtleback Elementary rank in CA?
Turtleback Elementary ranks #5,899 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Turtleback Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Turtleback Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Turtleback Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Turtleback Elementary has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Turtleback Elementary a charter school?
No, Turtleback Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Turtleback Elementary a Title I school?
No, Turtleback Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Turtleback Elementary?
20.4% of students at Turtleback 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 500
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.0%
- Phone
- (858) 673-5514
Resources & Links
District
Poway Unified- District Enrollment
- 34,935
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,231
- District Rank
- #37 of 38
Other Schools in This District
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