Top Rankings
Carlsbad Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 10%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 2,467 students in Carlsbad Unified School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public middle schools in California.
Public Middle Schools in Carlsbad Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 46% statewide average).
The top ranked public middle schools in Carlsbad Unified School District are Aviara Oaks Middle School, Carlsbad Seaside Academy and Valley Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
16 Schools
3,500 Schools
# Students
10,795 Students
1,853,978 Students
# Teachers
483 Teachers
87,804 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
22:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Carlsbad Unified School District, which is ranked #116 of all 1,910 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 92% has decreased from 95% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#111 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
73%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
29%
Graduation Rate
92%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.61
0.64
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
7%
11%
% Hispanic
26%
55%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
56%
22%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
10%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,386 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,889 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$177 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$204 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,386
$19,974
Spending / Student
$18,889
$18,396
Best Carlsbad Unified School District Public Middle Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Aviara Oaks Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6880 Ambrosia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6100
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6100
Gr: 6-8 | 985 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #22.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Gr: K-12 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #33.
Valley Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1645 Magnolia Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5300
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5300
Gr: 6-8 | 788 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #44.
Calavera Hills Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4104 Tamarack Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6400
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6400
Gr: 6-8 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Recent Articles

10 Advantages of Public Education in 2025
Explore 10 key benefits of public education in 2025, with fresh statistics, expert insights, and real-world examples for parents and educators.

COVID-19鈥檚 Lasting Impact on U.S. 51爆料s (2025)
Explore how COVID-19 continues to affect U.S. public schools in 2025: learning losses, enrollment shifts, mental health, and recovery strategies.