Calavera Hills Elementary School

Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 331-6300
Fax: (760) 729-3040
District: Carlsbad Unified School District

8

GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades KG,1,2,3,4,5 • 441 students

Calavera Hills Elementary School, a public school located in Carlsbad, CA, serves grades K-5 in the Carlsbad Unified School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 8 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Calavera Hills Elementary School is a public school located in Carlsbad, CA. 441 students attend Calavera Hills Elementary School.

School Ratings

Category Rating Details
Test Scores 9/10 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 6/10 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.

Worrisome patterns of chronic student absenteeism have been identified.

Posted: May 15, 2020

I would love to start by saying that my kids ended up going to calavera by “accident” (Not in gods eyes) we recently purchased a condo in Carlsbad school district. My kids have always gone to Magnolia Elementary school. When we found out that the condo we purchased was in the District of Calavera we were really bummed out because my kids had lots of friends at Magnolia Elementary school they’ve been going there since kindergarten. After two weeks at Calavera school both my daughter and son are happy that the Lord has put this great school in our paths. The principal Kimberly Fuentes has such an amazing huge heart! She’s very caring and the teachers that have been selected for my kids are just as awesome! Thank you sooooo much for everything you guys do, You guys are doing an amazing job with the Covid, My kids can’t wait to return to this fabulous school! “ Sierra’s “

Posted: May 15, 2020

The teachers really go Above and beyond specially with the Covid going on right now

Posted: May 15, 2020

Posted: May 15, 2020

Posted: May 15, 2020

Posted: May 15, 2020

My son has a Slower learning disability but Ms.Kolden takes her time and makes sure my son gets it before continuing.

Posted: May 15, 2020

My son got hit and before I called the school to let them know what was going on Mrs.Stough had everything under lock down. This never happen at my sons old school Magnolia Elementary

Posted: March 17, 2016

Posted: March 17, 2016

Posted: March 17, 2016

Posted: March 17, 2016

CHE is simply an amazing school. My husband and I are being relocated and are heartbroken to have to leave this school. Our daughter has attended K-2 here and has blossomed with the teachers and staff. They are not only amazing at their jobs, they are truly kind. From the award winning teachers to the fantastic office staff this school is top notch! They care about the kids on a personal level and are genuinely invested in their futures. Our relocation is a short one (we are military) so once it has ended we will be returning to Calavera Hills and Carlsbad! We love you guys!!!

Posted: August 23, 2015

Posted: August 23, 2015

Posted: August 23, 2015

Posted: August 23, 2015

Teachers are exceptional. Dr Bryant, the new Principal seems be very involved in every aspect of the school. The children are very kind and respectful. Parent participation is low and so are the API scores. So a lot of parents send their kids elsewhere with higher API scores. This keeps the student-to-teacher ratio low. There is also no awkward drama.

Posted: April 30, 2015

new principle, teachers and staffs really care about each student not like other school that my kids went through. it is the school in heart! couldn't be happier as a parent.

Posted: April 20, 2014

My son is in first grade this year. We have had the best experience this year and last! Both his teachers have been amazing. Our new principal this year is very nice and personable and working hard for our school. We could not be happier.

Posted: April 16, 2014

Calavera Hills Elementary school- New principal not much change. PTA is not very active. New principal all talk no Action. School activities few; Student: Teacher ratio way too high; They focus on kids who dont belong in the grade thay have been promoted to- which is unfair to the smarter kids. Discipline=0 Teachers let kid slide for work not completed. This develops bad habits at a young age in my opinion. GATE- program totally non existent- which is sad! Need newer ideas and newer teachers in this school.

Posted: August 10, 2013

Ms. Tinnerset is the most amazing, caring kindergarten teacher. When you send your little one to kindergarten, you can rest assured he or she will learn so much and enjoy doing so.

Posted: May 22, 2013

At first, my husband and I were considering sending our daughter to private school for kindergarten but decided to give public school a chance. We have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of the program and with her teacher Mrs. Phillips. It is amazing how our daughter can read, write, subtract, add, and more!! The school is well maintained and the after school Kids' Care program is also excellent. We are hoping the trend with continue throughout her time here. The programs funded by the PTA such as art and music are amazing and the annual musical is a must see.

Posted: April 11, 2013

I am continuing my post here.... Ms. Boyer, is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. My son was at a previous ES in the district and it amazing he does not hate school based upon those two years of having teachers that yell at very young children. Ms. Boyer, knowing my second grader loved school and had the negative experience has ensured that he not only continued to love to learn but has grown in leadership skills and confidence. Mrs. Phillips is amazing working with 33 kindergartners. I do not know how she does it. My son is able to learn in the large group setting and in small groups so that he is challenged at his learning level in math and reading. Thank you CHE for a great school year, for welcoming my boys and allowing me to be a contributing member of the PTA.

Posted: April 10, 2013

Calavera Hills Elementary School is a fun school which focuses on students being the best they can be. My child was very excited to learn her math facts this year and to be presented with her special "Math Master" certificate. The staff always makes our family feel special and welcome at school.

Posted: November 6, 2012

The new principal Ms. Huesing and one of the secretarial staff are rude & mean. We have a child who started in the special ed program and our son had a hard time adjusting to this new environment and his new teachers. He had some behavioral problems and Ms. Huesing and a secretarial staff had very little patience and tolerance for the poor child who is already handicapped and adjusting to a new environment. A staff member called us and demanded that we pick him up from school immediately because he had some behavioral issues. As working parents we informed them that we could not come immediately since we were at work 40 minutes away. We made some arrangements for a relative to pick up our son but when we got the phone call we decided to pick up our son ourselves. We arrived 3 minutes after dismissal time and our son's teacher aide was very understanding and kind. But Ms. Huesing and the staff member who phoned us were very rude and inconsiderate. The way they addressed us seem to ascribe moral guilt to the parent for their child's behavior which is not entirely under the parent's control since the child is at school, has developmental problems and is adjusting to a new environment.

Reviews provided by GreatSchools

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