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
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Turtleback Elementary — Students at Turtleback Elementary score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
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 10 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: 6.0/10.
How Turtleback Elementary Compares
See how Turtleback Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 62.04% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 56.38% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (858) 673-5514
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Poway Unified- District Enrollment
- 34,935
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,231
- District Rank
- #29 of 38
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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