T.H.E Leadership Academy in Oceanside

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	6/10	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.

Posted: January 27, 2026

THE Leadership Academy is a wonderful school that provides excellent educational experiences to students.

Posted: January 27, 2026

The Leadership Academy is a school that warm, welcoming, and inspiring!

Posted: January 27, 2026

Posted: March 28, 2025

Pulling my son out of his assigned school to transfer to THE Leadership Academy was the best decision I could've made for my son, who started there in 3rd grade. Even with over 600 students, parents and kids are made to feel like family. If you're debating between here and any other school, look no further.

Posted: March 28, 2025

I have had 3 kids at this school and have loved every teacher they have had . Family involvement is amazing I have meet so many great families that have now become friends . My kids love their classmates and the whole staff has made this the best school . They are learning and thriving .they have so many opportunities for extra activities after school from sports to music ,cooking etc . We couldnt be happier .

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Posted: March 28, 2025

The school staff is very dedicated to all the children. Teachers are great! We have been at T.H.E Leadership since kindergarten and never have had a problem, my son and I love it.

Posted: March 28, 2025

I love the staff and the care they give the students. Their extra curricular activities are awesome and we look forward to their family events like the camp out and the Freaky Friday Halloween event!

Posted: March 28, 2025

Great school!! Student lead clubs and opportunities for the kids to take charge!!

Posted: March 28, 2025

This school is such a great environment not just for the kids but also for parents, teachers, and staff they make you feel like a part of a community and cares and values the kids wants and needs

Posted: March 28, 2025

All teachers are fantastic! They truly care for the kids .

Posted: March 28, 2025

THE Leadership Academy is truly a special place. The staff works relentlessly to make every day fun, engaging, and meaningful. I have a fourth and second grader who cannot wait to get to school each and every day! What else could you ask for?

Posted: March 28, 2025

The 7 habits of highly effective people model along with the teachers and PTA, make this school a gem.

Posted: March 28, 2025

LOVE THE Leadership Academy. Amazing teachers and great staff with an awesome principal as leader . My daughters love going to school every day . Communication is great and transparent with the teachers and principal. The values and focus of the school on creating leaders and fostering a great learning environment for all the students . The PTA team is really great and organize great events . My girls have participated in various clubs and activities throughout the years , some of the favorites are Theatre and currently Ukele. I am so happy my daughters were able to stay at the leadership academy after we moved and I am planning on my son attending in a few years. Our girls have made many long lasting friendships and our family has many special memories at the Leadership Academy.

Posted: March 28, 2025

We love this school. Friendly staff, amazing extra curricular and leadership programs.

Posted: March 28, 2025

Posted: December 4, 2024

I am thankful for the time my family and I were able to be a part of this school. All four of my children attended this school from 2008-until 2024 when our youngest promoted to middle school. I'm sad that our time at THELA is over. The teachers and staff are very loving and kind. Although we moved to different places in North County we chose to keep our children at this school. This school is community oriented and teaches students to be leaders. Our experience at this school was great and would highly recommend it. The office staff is wonderful and always ready to help.

Posted: December 4, 2024

Posted: April 23, 2024

I was a district maintenance employee at Temple Heights elementary to repair the roof. I walked in the front office logged in with my school ID then the principal started yelling at me in front of a room full of people. She said what do I want? What am I doing , yelling. I told her I was working on the roof and not knowing who she was I asked her what her name was and her job she didn't answer and was rude. I went to work on the roof the next day my boss said she called and the Vice principal saying what I said and trying to say I had white rage? They managed to get me dismissed since I was on my 6 month probation period. I didn't do anything to this person she definitely has issues and all parents of children should know these are the type of people running the school I am better off away from these people unfortunately students can't escape so easily.

Posted: April 23, 2024

Posted: November 10, 2023

We only were enrolled here for a few months before circumstances changed, but during that time we really enjoyed T.H.E. Leadership Academy. Our daughter was in Mrs. Pence's Kindergarten class and after only a few short weeks was already showing notable development in reading, speaking, and engagement. Principal Morton was very kind and welcoming and supported all the parents and students. We recommend the school in general, and Mrs. Pence specifically. Thank you!

Posted: November 10, 2023

Posted: September 7, 2023

My daughter started at T.H.E. Leadership Academy in 1st grade and is now in 4th. As a parent, I want my child to love school and she does! It is never a struggle to get out the door. She is so excited by all the activities and fun classes and clubs she participates in. Each week she gets to attend STEM, music, technology, theater, library and dance. What a dream that she gets so much enrichment in addition to excellent academics. She also has been receiving daily violin lessons from Mr Doyle. Hes amazing! His passion for music has inspired her to pursue this instrument and she loves performing in the community with her friends. She has also started the Kindness Club where she gets to lead her own version of helping others. The Leadership focus at this school has really helped develop her social emotional side. I love all the family events. They are actually fun and build such a thriving community. My favorite is the campout where we sleep in tents on the playground. They offer a whole night of fun activities! The Freaky Friday Halloween carnival is amazing too!! Every teacher has been kind, caring and dedicated. I love this school!

Posted: September 7, 2023

Posted: March 9, 2023

This school has been such a blessing. Their approach to individualized learning really allows all the students to grow. I love all the activities they have and see the community that has been created. The staff are always friendly and overall there's just a sense of happiness and excitement for learning. My daughter loves coming to school and being with her friends. I'm really glad we landed on this school!

Posted: March 9, 2023

Posted: March 7, 2023

Best school in town!! I transferred my son to this school during his 4th grade year and I wish I had done it sooner! The entire school is amazing (principal, teachers, support staff, etc.). This school prepared him for middle school in more ways than one. He gained so much more than a great education here. He gained self confidence, goal setting and leadership skills - my list can go on. T.H.E. Leadership Academy allows students to create clubs of their interest, providing them with a positive connection to school. My son enjoyed the STEM lab, gardening and bike club. Most importantly, my son was a happy kid who had access to amazing programs and received extraordinary support. I will always be grateful for this school community!!

Posted: March 7, 2023

Posted: March 6, 2023

I cannot rave about T.H.E enough. The staff here has harvested an environment that helps children navigate through lifes challenges with the leader in me program. My kindergartner recites Sean Coveys 7 habits and relates them to her daily life. If youre looking for top notch teachers, a principal that truly cares, school events that are worth getting excited about, clubs for all interest and awesome kids look no further!

Posted: March 6, 2023

Weve been a part of the Dragons family for 2 years now. Weve thoroughly enjoyed our kindergarten experience with Mrs. Karaffa, she was so kind and loving. I feel she really knew how to connect with my child and nurture him how he needed it. She was very involved in making sure he was learning to the best of his abilities. Our first grade experience has also been great, the teacher is great and fun loving with my son. Mrs. Sarsilmaz is kind and understanding. Cant wait for our second child to attend the school in the next few years.

Posted: November 3, 2022

I have volunteered at several elementary schools in the area. In my opinion, Temple Heights Elementary (The Leadership Academy) is way above the others despite the difference in "test scores". Test scores are influenced by the number of ESL students as well as the number of children with learning disabilities. This school offers a preschool as well as a TK class where children come in from all over the Vista Unified School district. There are also Special Ed classes here. I've volunteered in TK, 1st, 2nd grades here. Also helped out with special ed as well. The environment is inviting and the students here absolutely LOVE this school. The extra curricular activities are way above average and it seems most children participate in them. Before school are free STEM and running club activities. Retired teachers return and teach free musical instrument classes after school. There are many different opportunities for children to learn about things not taught during school hours. This year (2022) the school decided to have a school musical and so many children wanted to participate that they have 2 different casts and many children volunteered to help backstage as well. The fabulous Freaky Friday event (Halloween festival) has been and continues to be the PTA's largest fundraiser for the school. The annual Family Campout continues to be a great event and many of the area's schools have used this wonderful idea. Covid limited a lot of these events but they are now returning. I hope Music On The Green and the Valentine event return as well. The Principal has done an amazing job in renovating the school's atmosphere and landscape. Inviting areas to sit and read are everywhere. She brings the support dog Coco into the classrooms and the children all love that dog! But what I really love is the smiling faces of the children who show their love for their school every day! It's a great place for kids! I highly recommend this school!

Posted: November 3, 2022

Posted: March 23, 2017

Both my children are in fourth grade at Temple Heights. They've been going there since the end of second grade. I was a little wary of the school at first because of the Great Schools rating, but I feel like the rating doesn't tell the whole story now. I love this school. The teachers are great, the kids are doing a lot of interesting STEM projects and the technology in the class room and at home (every fourth grader has an iPad) seems to be put to good use. My kids are reading and doing math at a middle school level. I think the scores reflect a lack of engagement on the part of many parents. I have heard from my kids that a lot of students don't even bother doing homework and don't seem to take school seriously, despite the incredible efforts of the teachers and staff to improve parent engagement. It's a shame that the entire school suffers a low rating for what I suspect is a cultural indifference to the importance of education held by many of the parents. If you are a parent who is actively engaged, this school will exceed your expectations. I have noticed that they do a good job of teaching to a students level, so that the students that are doing better are not held back by, or bored by school. It also helps those students that need the extra work, because they are not overwhelmed by the pace of the class as set by those who excel. The music program is also wonderful.

Posted: February 10, 2017

I recently visited this school to do a community service project with the 4th graders and they were an absolute joy. They were very kind to each other and made sure everyone got a turn. In addition, they were always ready to volunteer to clean up and always exhibited a cheerful attitude. This is the best elementary school I have ever visited!

Posted: February 10, 2017

Posted: April 29, 2016

The teachers and staff are great! My children love being here. I love how all the classes/grades interact with each other and teach/learn from each other. It's a great community. Also best school events I've ever been to!!!

Posted: April 29, 2016

Posted: September 25, 2014

It's my son's 2nd year hear, I am more than happy my son attends this school, TEACHERS, Principle and Staff are amazing here. Teachers are very dedicated to their students and are interested in their learning! Looking forward to the years to come :)

Posted: July 22, 2014

Technology in the classroom! Need I say more? My daughter had Mr Korporral last year. Excellent teacher. Really involved with the students academics and also challenged the students as well.

Posted: August 7, 2013

Our daughter is starting Kindergarten in Fall, 2013 at Temple Heights Elementary (THE) and she was part of the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program at Temple Heights last year. To be honest, we were quite skeptical about any school in the VUSD because the ratings are low. We also couldn't find a quality private school which met our requirements. Because of TK, we ended up at THE. We were pleasantly surprised with THE, not to mention relieved of our search. As we progressed through the school year last year, we were impressed with all of the staff we met, escpecially Mrs Karaffa, our daughter's TK teacher. Mrs Karaffa was our first introduction to THE and we were AMAZED. She demonstrated enthusiasm and sincere interest in her students. Mrs. Morton, Principal at THE, is an outstanding leader in so many ways. She also demonstrates enthusiasm and motivates the families to be involved and the students to be respectful. We observed a huge turnout at every event and the morale of the families was high. Everyone seemed so proud of the school and happy to be there. Now WE are SO proud of the school and happy to be there. Thank you Mrs Karaffa and Mrs Morton and Team. Go Dragons!!

Posted: July 27, 2013

I'm a parent of a special needs child as well, and in my opinion the staff there was outdated. From what I saw they just are not up to speed with how to best address the needs of our kids. I have heard that their SDC is great, but have no experience with that classroom. Overall there was not an apparent sense of pride among the parents and students. If you are not quick on your feet you do run the chance of getting run over by a parent racing to drop their kid off at school. Staff simply says there is nothing they can do about it. I agree with the assessment of the front office staff. They can be rather unprofessional.

Posted: July 24, 2013

We have a special needs child at Temple Heights. This school is amazing. Tons of resources, friendly teachers/students/staff. This is a very diverse school: with lots of different types of people (both ethnically and economically). The school community handles the diversity in a respectful and appropriate manner. For example, everyone is welcome and embraced, while English is the only language spoken in classrooms (as per our experience). The music program is a rare gem! I love how active and fun this school is. There are family movie nights, camping trips, concerts, etc. Truly blessed to be part of the Temple Heights family!

Posted: July 20, 2013

I have one child who attended Temple Heights last year and I have to say, He had a great teacher. The music teacher is great, however the program is financially barely paying him. The IPads that are shared with all classrooms are broken more than useful. The principal Mrs. Morton seems nice; however it's was a terrible idea to place her as principal in the school she was previously a teacher at! The teachers do not respect her as an authority, which is sad. The front office staff is an embarrassing rude joke. It really bothers me that Spanish is constantly being spoken in the front office as well. There is a lot of room for improvement!

Posted: June 7, 2013

We transferred to Temple Heights this year from a private Christian school. We were worried about the personal attention our daughter would get. I want everyone to know that we could not be happier. The ladies in the office are so friendly and helpful. The principal, Mrs Mirton, spent about an hour with us. She gave us a tour and answered all our questions. We chose this school because it has a music program, choir, new facilities (including new playground), lots of technology (ipads), and excellent teachers. We feel like we are getting a private school education for free. We stay on top of everything but communication is really great. Miss Love has been a fantastic teacher. My daughter absolutely loves her. That makes us the happiest parents!

Posted: June 4, 2013

I can't believe my son will be graduating from Temple Heights tomorrow. He has been at this fantastic school since kindergarten. He has loved every teacher he has had. Mr Santana has been so good for him. They have really prepared him. They use a lot of technology. I can't say enough about how fun this school has been. They have so many fun activities for the families. All of the teachers always attend and the principal is there too. You can tell this staff truly loves kids. They always welcome families. The best events were the camp out and the Halloween carnival. I like how everyone at this school works together. The office staff is always so helpful. It is overall just a great place to be. Everyone is happy and positive. It's just a vibe you get. We are going to miss coming to this school.

Posted: May 31, 2013

Temple Heights elementary is a gem. I have a 4th grader and a 2nd grader who have attended since Kindergarten. I am amazed by the family activities the school runs that brings parents, students and teachers together from carnivals, to assemblies, to parenting workshops. The teachers are dedicated, knowledgable, and communicate with the parents. They can be seen at all the events and seem to love what they do. The teaching seems to be rigorous and I especially like their focus on science, which seems rare in an elementary school. The principal is visible and friendly. Once when I needed to talk to her about a problem my son was having on the playground she immediately met with me and took care of the problem. I have been very impressed with their new technology plan to have iPads in a one to one ratio in many classes. I just learned about it at a technology parent night and felt like like the staff was focusing on keeping current on the needs of the students. I would recommend this school to anyone in the area! It's amazing!

Posted: May 25, 2013

This school is truly amazing! I have a fifth grader and a second grader. They love going to school every day. The teachers make everything fun and engaging. This is one of the only schools in town with a music program. They have a music teacher Mr Brisn who teaches instruments like guitar and drumming. They also use iPads in all classes. Fun family events all year! Love!

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	St. Cloud	Condominium/Townhouse	Oceanside	CA	1.7 mi
2	Montecito village apartments	Apartment Complex	Oceanside	CA	1.8 mi
3	Mira Costa Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Oceanside	CA	2.6 mi
4	Shadowridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Vista	CA	3.5 mi
5	Palisades Pointe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	5.2 mi
6	Rancho Carrillo	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	7.1 mi
7	Windsor at Aviara	Apartment Complex	Carlsbad	CA	7.5 mi
8	La Costa	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	8.1 mi
9	Torrey Highlands	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	18.4 mi
10	Redhawk	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Temecula	CA	19.9 mi
11	Amberwalk Townhomes	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Murrieta	CA	23.6 mi
12	The Ranchos	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Murrieta	CA	24.3 mi
13	Whispering Winds Apartments	Apartment Complex	San Clemente	CA	24.5 mi
14	Copper Canyon	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Murrieta	CA	24.6 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Carlsbad	Carlsbad	CA	6.3 mi
2	Downtown Oceanside	Oceanside	CA	6.4 mi
3	Lake Rancho Viejo	Fallbrook	CA	10.2 mi
4	Encinitas	Encinitas	CA	12.6 mi
5	Torrey Highlands	San Diego	CA	18.4 mi
6	Temecula, California	Temecula	CA	21.4 mi
7	Mira Mesa	San Diego	CA	22.1 mi
8	Wine Country area of Scripps Ranch	San Diego	CA	23.7 mi
9	West Side	murrieta	CA	23.8 mi
10	Downtown	San Clemente	CA	24.5 mi
11	Murrieta, California	Murrieta	CA	24.8 mi

Base	Distance
Camp Pendleton	12 mi.
Miramar MCAS	25.1 mi.
MCRD San Diego	33.4 mi.
San Diego Naval Medical Center	34.6 mi.
North Island NAS	36.1 mi.
Naval Base Point Loma	36.9 mi.
San Diego Naval Base	38 mi.
Coronado Naval Amphibious Base	38.1 mi.
March Air Reserve Base	46.4 mi.

T.H.E Leadership Academy

Oceanside, CA 92056

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T.H.E Leadership Academy

Oceanside, CA 92056

School Ratings

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