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Average

#4926 of 9,533 schools in CA

Turtleback Elementary

Elementary School · Poway Unified

15855 Turtleback Rd., San Diego, CA 92127

Enrollment

500

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Diego

#175 of 288

public schools

California elementary schools

#3,014 of 5,817

In district

#29 of 38

Poway Unified

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Turtleback Elementary

Turtleback Elementary serves 500 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in San Diego, earning a solid 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks in the 79th percentile statewide, placing #1972 among California's 9,566 elementary schools. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers, the student-teacher ratio stands at 22.7 to 1.

Academically, Turtleback Elementary demonstrates strong performance with 63% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 57% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education across core subject areas. The school operates within the affluent 92127 ZIP code area, where families benefit from a median household income of $166,804 and median home values of $1,096,000.

This well-educated community shows impressive demographics, with 75% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a remarkably low poverty rate of just 2.9%. The neighborhood's 51,107 residents create a stable, family-oriented environment that supports educational achievement. Turtleback Elementary sits in this thriving San Diego community, where strong family engagement and educational values contribute to a supportive learning atmosphere for elementary students.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Turtleback Elementary is 22.7:1, 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 Progress6.0Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.4%
Math vs. State Avg+16.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.6 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected-4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,249

Turtleback Elementary — Students at Turtleback Elementary score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 63.1%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
65%
2024
Math
62.7%
ELA
57.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.

How Turtleback Elementary Compares

See how Turtleback Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in CA
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

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. Design 39 Campus (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rolling Hills Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shoal Creek Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly 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 7.8
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 6.3
Oak Valley Middle San Diego 1.3 mi 6.5
Rancho Bernardo High San Diego 1.4 mi 6.6
Highland Ranch Elementary San Diego 1.7 mi 6.5
Westwood Elementary San Diego 1.8 mi 6.7
Stone Ranch Elementary San Diego 1.7 mi 6.8
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 6.7
Country Montessori School of Poway Poway 1.9 mi
Los Penasquitos Elementary San Diego 2.5 mi 6.9
Del Norte High San Diego 2.1 mi 7.6
Shoal Creek Elementary San Diego 2.6 mi 7.0
Design 39 Campus San Diego 2.2 mi 8.0
Abraxas Continuation High Poway 2.6 mi 6.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Turtleback Elementary has a median household income of $179,220. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,165,100, with a median rent of $2,642/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Agnes M. Baptist Elementary Modesto, CA 6.3
Anza Elementary Torrance, CA 6.3
Arts In Action Community Charter Los Angeles, CA 6.3
BAYMONTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotts Valley, CA 6.3
Badillo Elementary Covina, CA 6.3
Barbara Comstock Morse Elementary Sacramento, CA 6.3

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 is ranked #4926 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Turtleback Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Turtleback Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Turtleback Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Turtleback Elementary has 63.1% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,092/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Poway Unified
District Enrollment
34,935
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,231
District Rank
#29 of 38

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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