El Camino Creek Elementary School in Carlsbad

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	10/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education.
Student Growth	9/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from California Department of Education.

Posted: October 16, 2025

We absolutely love El Camino Creek Elementary! Theres such a strong sense of community here, and the teachers are incredibly supportive. They really take the time to get to know each child and build meaningful connections, creating a trusting and nurturing environment. My children are thriving academically, especially in math, thanks to the CGI math instructiontheyre getting a strong foundation in math. Principal Jodi Greenberger is amazing; she knows every child by name, and my kids adore her. She does an excellent job leading the school and fostering a welcoming, positive atmosphere. We feel very lucky to be part of this school community!

Posted: August 13, 2025

Like many other reviews below, I agree that the PTA at this school is out of control. It calls the shots and the administration allows it. It is a small group of women that acts like a sorority and they choose what programs to keep and cut based on their interests. They appoint themselves in all positions of power to control the events and do not let other parents participate.

The PTA parents' children also seemingly get priority for class placement.

The academics at this school are strongly lacking. Not only did it cut science, and has no formal accelerated program, it cuts or deprioritizes clubs that are academically based or provide culture like musical programs.

The school also does not appear to have a good support system for kids with common learning disabilities like adhd.

MANY students left this past year because the overall culture of the school has been rapidly deteriorating. This is a great school to send your kid to if you want the PTA to be in charge of your child's education.

Posted: April 16, 2025

ECC is top notch! My kids love their school and have had a great experience. We love the warm friendly atmosphere with a focus on kindness and kids social emotional wellbeing, smaller school size and extraordinary leadership. The teachers seem motivated and caring, and my kids have made wonderful sweet friends. With their friendships, us parents have really gotten to know other parents and have found some wonderful friends. There are several ways for parents to be involved, whether it is volunteering with art, nutrition, room parent, seasonal events like red ribbon week or jogathon, the variety show, or even joining the PTA. ECC has been a dream for our family and we feel really grateful to have it in our neighborhood!

Posted: June 6, 2024

This is more about the PTA and a lot of parents at this school. The "hidden" racism is very apparent to those that are not white. The PTA moms are extremely clique and this also goes for their friends at the school. These groups of moms run the school and it does affect the kids and parents that are left out, no matter how hard they try to get involved. As others have mentioned, if your family is not white or if your child is a bit different or has a disability, this is definitely not the school for you.

Posted: March 21, 2024

We recently moved into this school zone and started our kids at ECC and find it to be OUTSTANDING! It is a California Kindness Distinguished school and really lives up to the name. The leadership is top notch, and so are the teachers. They have promoted a love of learning and an atmosphere where my kids look forward to school. There is a celebration of diversity and inclusion, and a very very active PTA. We have loved meeting other parents and attending all the school sponsored activities. People are friendly and nice and welcoming to others. Truly, we couldnt be more delighted by the experience our kids have had at ECC. My only critique is that I do wish they had a music and art teacher on staff, instead of parent volunteers but I know they are currently hiring for one, so when thats accomplished- ECC will be perfect!

Posted: March 21, 2024

Posted: March 16, 2023

My daughter is living the kindergarten dream and is the most confident, happy, thriving version of herself in and out of school.
I spent time learning about the schools in Encinitas to find the best fit for our family and I'm relieved to feel we made the right call with ECC. The community is the most inclusive community we've ever been a part of and the communication from her teacher, principal, PTA, etc is next level. My daughter was nervous to start school, and our first introduction to the community was the PTA president showing up to our house a few days before school started with her 4 incredibly nice kids to hand my daughter a welcome to school sign. Their genuine friendliness was a small gesture that made a huge impact on her feeling less nervous about starting K.
Moving forward, the community just keeps getting better. She not only plays with her classmates, but the school is set up so she spends enough time with the other K classes to feel like she's friends with the whole grade. A highlight at school is the buddy program. She was paired with a 6th grade buddy at the start of the year and that has been special for her. Her 6th grade buddy looks for her daily with open arms, and the 6th graders get to sign up to play on the K playground with them on Fridays so my daughter is thrilled to know and look up to a handful of 6th grade friends.
In terms of academics, my daughter came in on the more advanced side, and her progress throughout the year highlights the fact that her teacher is doing an outstanding job at not just teaching to the middle of the class. It is evident that she has taken time to evaluate where my daughter is at academically and has given her separate projects to ensure she isn't bored and is progressing at an impressive rate.
The additional programs offered give my daughter something to be excited about almost every day. She especially loves TRAC, the parent-led art classes (they did pottery last week!), garden science, and running club. As a parent, I love reading the newsletters and seeing all of the extra-curricular programs offered to the older students. I truly believe she will continue to be engaged and challenged for the entire 7 years she is at ECC and as a family we feel fortunate for the friendships we have already made.
I can only hope that all 3 of my kids walk out of school as happy and excited about the day as the way my oldest leaves kindergarten daily this year :)

Posted: March 3, 2023

I cannot say enough wonderful things about El Camino Creek! As a new family to kindergarten, I am so impressed with the education my son is receiving. We absolutely love my son's teacher, our wonderful principal, the warmth and welcoming environment, and the smiles we see daily. It is clear families and teachers are happy to be here. My son is happy to go to school, which says it all. Thank you, ECC, for welcoming my son to kindergarten, and providing such a safe, and nurturing place for him to thrive.

Posted: February 13, 2023

My two children currently attend ECC. We have had a wonderful experience there. My 4th grade son in particular tells me he loves his school (and hes not an effusive kid). Currently the two kindergarten teachers are what I would consider the ultimate gold standard. Theyre highly experienced and incredibly warm, kind and positive role models for kids starting out in elementary school. As weve moved up through several grades, weve had six wonderful, progressive teachers who have challenged and cared for our children. (We had one we didnt care for who has since retired.) I have heard murmurings about a few teachers who generally arent the schools best, but by and large it seems the teachers who have less stellar reputations have moved on.

The principal is terrific communicative, steady and very consistent. She has an open door policy for parents and students who have a problem or a suggestion. Based on concerns I or my child have expressed (a handful over several years) to her, my impression is that she handles them directly and thoughtfully. Shes the first to say that she cant help find a solution to a problem if she doesnt know one exists. We have several classmates/friends who have disabilities or learning challenges, for whom and for which accommodations have been made. Ive personally seen teachers, staff and the principal go out of their way to consider their needs.

Naturally, I wish all public schools had the resources to amplify language, music and art programs. ECC and the EUSD district poll families each year and try to meet programming needs/desires when possible, but I will always wish for more. I do love that a socio-emotional curriculum is prioritized, and as much as one of my kids doesnt love it, hes better for it, as is the school overall.

Im very grateful for the community weve found at ECC.

Posted: February 7, 2023

It is very sad to have to write this, but if I can spare any child to the bad experience my child had, I will. This school, like said in previous reviews is very clicky. It feels like a few mom's (families) run the whole school. The administration allows this to happen. Many of the teachers are very authoritarian and old school. There is a HUGE divide within this school if you have a child with a disability or of a different race, I would go elsewhere. This school is not inclusive although they preach it. The culture just doesnt have it here. Unfortunately, they also are not open to hearing about any kind of change. I am not just saying this because I had a bad experience. It is the truth and I would want to spare anyone else experience. Capri is a very good school with a lot of diversity, so is Parkdale and Flora Vista. If youbhave a child with a disability, or is even behind academically or of a different race, I would go elsewhere. This school is not inclusive although they preach it nonstop. every year the same get kids get the same good teachers and it is blatantly obvious. Parents gossip about other families and children if they are different in anyway and try to exclude.about other families and children if they are different in anyway and try to exclude, The culture just doesnt have it. Unfortunately, they also are not open to hearing about any kind of change. Capri is a very good school with a lot of diversity, so is Parkdale and Floravista

Posted: December 16, 2022

Anyone who has volunteered any time at the school is aware of the toxic culture others refer to. It is sad because I love the neighborhood and parents. I always think of the song "smiling faces" when I think of the administration, staff and leadership at this school. I took my children to a different school where they flourished academically AND socially/emotionally. I could not leave them in a negative culture and was concerned they would eventually normalize or internalize it. It is not healthy and so sad because most of the children are at that age that they do not have the experience to understand and articulate the problems to their parents. The families with two working parents are so busy they have no idea what is really going on. ECC is a veneer of a cute school in a good location with good test scores and a dark culture. It is so sad that the school administration has had such an awful reputation for so many years. I don't believe they will ever address their issues.

Posted: May 4, 2021

This school continues to support all students and excels. They care about the social emotional well being of each child as well as academic success. The Principal knows all students by name and interacts with them daily. She truly cares and wants students engaged in learning and smiling throughout their experiences.

Posted: May 4, 2021

Posted: November 20, 2020

There are much better elementary schools in the District. This school is poorly run, has issues with student behavior and only a few good teachers that parents fight over getting. The good test scores are more the result of parent involvement at home than reflective of a quality education at this school.

Posted: November 20, 2020

Posted: January 11, 2020

My children love going to school everyday and I am involved in the school programs too. We find it a happy place and smile when we arrive and leave.

Posted: January 11, 2020

The amount is appropriate for each grade level and all reinforce reading at home.

Posted: January 11, 2020

The teachers and Principal take the time to learn about each child and their needs.

Posted: January 11, 2020

The school focuses on the districts world ready traits and skills. They ensure the students are happy and engaged.

Posted: January 11, 2020

The Principal is out front everyday before and after school greeting the students and parents and knows their names. She truly cares about their success.

Posted: January 11, 2020

The school has SOAR and SSA programs to support all students.

Posted: January 10, 2020

We have had one experience with bullying at our school. One email to teacher and principal after the incident and the matter was dealt with swiftly and satisfactorily. I am very pleased with the way it was handled. My kids feel safe at school, and I feel terrific about sending them into the environment there.

Posted: January 10, 2020

We moved to this neighborhood specifically because we wanted our kids to go to this school, and we have not been disappointed. We could not ask for anything more from the school itself.

Posted: January 10, 2020

On the one hand, I wish there were less homework. Definitely some of it falls into the category of busywork. However I do think it's important that kids learn to deal with homework in elementary as it ramps up mercilessly once they reach middle school and beyond!

Posted: January 10, 2020

I've had three kids go through ECC and we have had some incredible teachers. There have been times I walked out of Back-To-School Night convinced that we could not possibly find a better teacher for our child, not even at the fanciest private school in town. Parents do need to keep a sense of perspective though... not every teacher will be an ideal fit, and even a great teacher can have an "off" year.

Posted: January 10, 2020

If there is any lack of character in ECC, it derives not from the school's teachings, but from entitlement or lack or morals taught at home. ECC does the best it can, but I am concerned that as a society, we are not collectively emphasizing moral character enough.

Posted: January 10, 2020

My interaction with ECC leadership have been, simply put, stellar. Please read any negative reviews with "a grain of salt". From the principal on down, staff has treated me and my children with the utmost respect in every way. An incident of bullying was quickly addressed and satisfactorily resolved. Two of my kids have IEP's (speech therapy). There was no fighting! No lawyers! Just my kids receiving quick and effective services... they have both improved immensely! Leadership at this school, IMHO, is second to none.

Posted: January 10, 2020

I asked my kids about this. They told about many different resources available to kids who need extra help, such as Math Club, Reading Club, and The Learning Center. There are many kids at our school with very diverse learning challenges, and I believe they are being well served.

Posted: September 25, 2019

We have been very pleased with this school, the staff and leadership. It offers a variety of programs and ensures students are happy.

Posted: September 25, 2019

Teachers provide meaningful homework and encourage daily reading.

Posted: September 25, 2019

Teachers care about the kids and encourage them to be their best.

Posted: September 25, 2019

The schools focus is about empowering students to be compassionate and to care for each other.

Posted: September 25, 2019

The Principal truly cares about the kids and takes the time to know their name and story. She is available and encourages parents to contact her and addresses their needs and concerns.

Posted: September 25, 2019