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North County San Diego · Schools guide

Best Schools in North County San Diego: A Family Guide

Which districts serve each community, where the schools are, and what the state reports for each one.

Three children with backpacks walking to a yellow school bus on a residential street

By Kelli Miller, Realtor, Compass. Updated October 2026.

The question I hear most from families moving here is which schools serve which streets. District lines in coastal North County don't follow city limits or zip codes, so two homes a few streets apart can be assigned to different schools.

This guide shows which districts cover each community, where the schools are, and what the state reports for each one. I'm a Realtor, not an educator, so I don't rate schools. Every figure here comes from the California Department of Education.

By community

Which school district serves each community

Each map shows district boundaries and school locations. Tap a map to open it larger. For the school assigned to a specific address, check with the district.

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School districts serving Carlsbad920789201192010920099200892081Calavera HillsCalavera Hills MiddleHopeBuena VistaCarlsbad HighMagnoliaSage Creek HighValley MiddleJeffersonKellyPoinsettiaPacific RimAviara OaksAviara Oaks MiddlePacific Ocean
Carlsbad Unified (K-12)Encinitas Union SD (K-6)San Marcos Unified (K-12)San Dieguito Union HSD (7-12)Carlsbad Unified school
District boundaries from the California Department of Education, 2024–25. School locations from CDE, 2025–26. Zip code areas from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Carlsbad

Most of Carlsbad is Carlsbad Unified, a K–12 district with two comprehensive high schools, Carlsbad High and Sage Creek.

Much of La Costa, in 92009, is in Encinitas Union for elementary and San Dieguito Union for middle and high school. A sliver on the east side is San Marcos Unified.

Carlsbad Unified School DistrictCarlsbad homes and prices
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School districts serving Encinitas 920249206792024920919200992007La Costa HeightsEl Camino CreekCapriMission EstanciaOlivenhain PioneerPaul Ecke-CentralFlora VistaPark Dale LaneOcean KnollAda W. HarrisCardiffPacific Ocean
Encinitas Union SD (K-6)Cardiff SD (K-6)San Dieguito Union HSD (7-12)Elementary school
District boundaries from the California Department of Education, 2024–25. School locations from CDE, 2025–26. Zip code areas from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Encinitas

Encinitas Union is a nine-school elementary district that covers Old Encinitas, Leucadia, New Encinitas and Olivenhain and reaches into La Costa.

Everyone goes on to San Dieguito Union for middle and high school.

Encinitas Union School DistrictEncinitas homes and prices
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Elementary school districts serving Cardiff-by-the-Sea 920079207592007Ada W. HarrisCardiffSolana VistaSkylinePacific Ocean
Cardiff SD (K-6)Encinitas Union SD (K-6)Solana Beach SD (K-6)San Dieguito Union HSD (7-12)Elementary school
District boundaries from the California Department of Education, 2024–25. School locations from CDE, 2025–26. Zip code areas from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Cardiff by the Sea

Cardiff has its own two-school elementary district: Cardiff Elementary for kindergarten through second grade and Ada W. Harris for third through sixth.

Students go on to San Dieguito Union for middle and high school.

Cardiff School DistrictCardiff homes and prices
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Elementary school districts serving Solana Beach 92075920149206792091921309207592007Solana VistaSkylineSolana Santa FeSolana RanchPacific SkyAshley FallsSolana HighlandsSycamore RidgeDel Mar HillsSolana PacificCarmel CreekDel Mar HeightsCarmel Del MarOcean AirSage CanyonPacific Ocean
Solana Beach SD (K-6)Del Mar Union SD (K-6)San Dieguito Union HSD (7-12)Elementary school
District boundaries from the California Department of Education, 2024–25. School locations from CDE, 2025–26. Zip code areas from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Solana Beach

Solana Beach School District runs the elementary schools for the city and for the Carmel Valley neighborhoods just east of it.

Students go on to San Dieguito Union for middle and high school. Earl Warren Middle School is in Solana Beach.

Solana Beach School DistrictSolana Beach homes and prices
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Elementary school districts serving Del Mar 92014Del Mar Union and Solana Beach elementary districts over zip code boundaries. Both feed San Dieguito Union High School District.92014920759213092129Pacific Ocean
Del Mar Union SD (K-6)Solana Beach SD (K-6)San Dieguito Union HSD (7-12)DMUSD elementary school
District boundaries from the California Department of Education, 2024–25 school year. Zip code areas from the U.S. Census Bureau. Roads shown are I-5, I-805 and SR-56.

Del Mar

Del Mar Union covers elementary for most of 92014 and the western half of 92130. Solana Beach School District covers a slice of Carmel Valley.

Both send their students on to San Dieguito Union for middle and high school.

Del Mar Union School DistrictDel Mar homes and prices
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School districts serving Carmel Valley 92130920149212192130Solana RanchPacific SkyAshley FallsSolana HighlandsSycamore RidgeDel Mar HillsSolana PacificCarmel CreekDel Mar HeightsCarmel Del MarOcean AirSage CanyonTorrey HillsPacific Ocean
Del Mar Union SD (K-6)Solana Beach SD (K-6)Poway Unified (K-12)San Dieguito Union HSD (7-12)Elementary school
District boundaries from the California Department of Education, 2024–25. School locations from CDE, 2025–26. Zip code areas from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Carmel Valley

Most of 92130 is Del Mar Union for elementary school. The east side of Carmel Valley and Pacific Highlands Ranch are Solana Beach School District.

Both feed San Dieguito Union. Torrey Del Mar, in the northeast corner, is Poway Unified.

Del Mar Union School DistrictCarmel Valley guide

District boundaries from the California Department of Education, 2024–25. School locations from CDE, 2025–26. Zip code areas from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Elementary

Elementary schools in North County San Diego

The state tests every public school student in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 each spring. The figures are the share of students who met or exceeded the state standard on the 2025 Smarter Balanced tests, with the district average and the statewide figure for comparison. Schools are listed alphabetically within each district.

SchoolEnglishMath
Carlsbad Unified School DistrictGrades K-12 · 10,708 students · district average71%62%
Aviara Oaks Elementary81%79%
Buena Vista Elementary70%69%
Calavera Hills Elementary67%63%
Hope Elementary72%70%
Jefferson Elementary52%48%
Kelly Elementary80%80%
Magnolia Elementary78%79%
Pacific Rim Elementary89%83%
Poinsettia Elementary82%81%
Cardiff School DistrictGrades K-6 · 641 students · district average78%69%
Ada W. Harris ElementaryGrades 3-6. Cardiff Elementary (K-2) is not tested.78%69%
Del Mar Union School DistrictGrades K-6 · 3,497 students · district average82%83%
Ashley Falls76%77%
Carmel Del Mar86%88%
Del Mar Heights88%84%
Del Mar Hills Academy78%82%
Ocean Air89%92%
Sage Canyon87%88%
Sycamore Ridge74%74%
Torrey Hills75%78%
Encinitas Union School DistrictGrades K-6 · 4,298 students · district average72%67%
Capri66%66%
El Camino Creek87%85%
Flora Vista71%65%
La Costa Heights80%74%
Mission Estancia76%65%
Ocean Knoll61%54%
Olivenhain Pioneer80%76%
Park Dale Lane63%55%
Paul Ecke-Central64%61%
Solana Beach School DistrictGrades K-6 · 2,620 students · district average84%82%
Carmel Creek68%77%
Skyline83%73%
Solana Highlands84%89%
Solana Pacific88%89%
Solana Ranch85%85%
Solana Santa Fe85%82%
Solana Vista75%71%
California, all public schools49%37%
Middle and high

Middle and high schools in North County San Diego

San Dieguito Union High School District serves grades 7 through 12 and takes students from the Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe elementary districts. Its high schools are assigned by attendance area, with Canyon Crest Academy and San Dieguito High Academy open to the whole district by application. Carlsbad Unified runs its own middle and high schools.

SchoolEnglishMath
Carlsbad Unified School DistrictGrades K-12 · 10,708 students · district average71%62%
Aviara Oaks Middle72%64%
Calavera Hills Middle62%44%
Valley Middle55%48%
Carlsbad High77%49%
Sage Creek High77%59%
San Dieguito Union High School DistrictGrades 7-12 · 12,055 students · district average80%69%
Carmel Valley Middle82%80%
Diegueno Middle77%68%
Earl Warren Middle78%73%
Oak Crest Middle72%58%
Pacific Trails Middle86%81%
Canyon Crest Academy93%86%
La Costa Canyon High74%51%
San Dieguito High Academy73%51%
Torrey Pines High80%56%
California, all public schools49%37%

Source: California Department of Education, CAASPP Smarter Balanced results, spring 2025, via EdSource. District enrollment from CDE, 2024–25. Test scores are one measure among many; visit the schools.

Private and charter

Private and charter schools

Private schools enroll by application, not by address. The list covers private schools in the state directory that go beyond kindergarten and have a public website. Numbers match the maps.

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Private schools: Carlsbad920789201192010920099200892081123456Pacific Ocean
Carlsbad Unified (K-12)Encinitas Union SD (K-6)San Marcos Unified (K-12)San Dieguito Union HSD (7-12)Private school, numbered as in the list
Private school locations from the California Department of Education school directory, October 2026, and approximate. District boundaries from CDE, 2024–25.

Carlsbad

Schools 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

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Private schools: Encinitas and Cardiff9206792024920919200992007789101112131428Pacific Ocean
Encinitas Union SD (K-6)Cardiff SD (K-6)San Dieguito Union HSD (7-12)Private school, numbered as in the list
Private school locations from the California Department of Education school directory, October 2026, and approximate. District boundaries from CDE, 2024–25.

Encinitas and Cardiff

Schools 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 28.

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Private schools: Solana Beach, Del Mar, Carmel Valley and Rancho Santa Fe9201492067920919213092075920077891113141516171819202122232425262728Pacific Ocean
Solana Beach SD (K-6)Del Mar Union SD (K-6)San Dieguito Union HSD (7-12)Private school, numbered as in the list
Private school locations from the California Department of Education school directory, October 2026, and approximate. District boundaries from CDE, 2024–25.

Solana Beach, Del Mar, Carmel Valley and Rancho Santa Fe

Schools 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.

Carlsbad

  1. Army and Navy Academy. Grades 7–12. 2605 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad
  2. Carlsbad Christian Academy. Grades K–8. 3030 Valley Street, Carlsbad
  3. Coastal Sage Montessori. Grades K–6. 1400 Las Flores Drive, Carlsbad
  4. Pacific Ridge School. Grades 6–12. 6269 El Fuerte Street, Carlsbad
  5. St. Patrick Catholic. Grades K–8. 3820 Pio Pico Drive, Carlsbad
  6. Wild Wander Forest School. Grades K–2. 2659 State Street, Carlsbad

Encinitas

  1. Encinitas Country Day School. Grades K–8. 3616 Manchester Avenue, Encinitas
  2. The Grauer School. Grades 7–12. 1500 South El Camino Real, Encinitas
  3. Norton High School. Grades 1–12. 1106 Second Street, Suite 532, Encinitas
  4. Pacific Academy. Grades K–12. 679 Encinitas Boulevard, #211, Encinitas
  5. The Rhoades School. Grades K–8. 141 South Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas
  6. Saint John School. Grades K–8. 1003 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas
  7. Seeds of Hope Academy. Grades 3–6. 777 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas

Cardiff by the Sea

  1. Village Gate Children's Academy. Grades K–8. 1200 Cardiff Drive, Cardiff

Solana Beach

  1. Fusion Academy, Solana Beach. Grades 4–12. 512 Via de la Valle, Suite 201, Solana Beach
  2. Santa Fe Christian Schools. Grades K–12. 838 Academy Drive, Solana Beach
  3. St. James Academy. Grades K–8. 623 South Nardo Avenue, Solana Beach

Del Mar

  1. LePort Montessori Solana Beach. Grades K–6. 1010 Solana Drive, Del Mar
  2. The Winston School of San Diego. Grades 6–12. 215 9th Street, Del Mar

Carmel Valley

  1. Cal Coast Academy. Grades 6–12. 11555 Clews Ranch Road, San Diego
  2. Cathedral Catholic High School. Grades 9–12. 5555 Del Mar Heights Road, San Diego
  3. Del Mar Pines School. Grades K–6. 3975 Torrington Street, San Diego
  4. Notre Dame Academy. Grades K–8. 4345 Del Mar Trails Road, San Diego
  5. San Diego Jewish Academy. Grades K–12. 11860 Carmel Creek Road, San Diego

Rancho Santa Fe

  1. Diegueno Country School. Grades K–6. 15663 Circo Diegueno Road, Rancho Santa Fe
  2. High Bluff Academy. Grades 9–12. 5531 Cancha De Golf, Rancho Santa Fe
  3. Horizon Prep. Grades K–12. 6233 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe
  4. The Nativity School. Grades K–8. 6309 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe

Charter schools

Charter schools are public schools that enroll by application.

Names, addresses and grades from the California Department of Education school directory, October 2026. Confirm details with each school.

Check an address

How to check the schools for a specific address

  1. Find the district on the maps above.
  2. Look up the address on that district’s boundary map or school locator.
  3. Call the district office to confirm. Boundaries are set by the districts and they do change.

If a particular school matters to you, tell me at the start of your search. I’ll help you focus on the streets inside that boundary, and we’ll confirm the assignment with the district before you write an offer.

Call 858.784.1674Send Kelli a message

School boundaries and test results are published by the districts and the California Department of Education and are subject to change. Kelli Miller, DRE 01840131. Compass, DRE 01527365. Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.