Christa Mcauliffe Elementary School in Oceanside

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	5/10	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	2/10	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: April 20, 2026

Check out that Student Progress rating of 2. Tells you all you should know about the leadership of this school. Abort!

Posted: September 4, 2025

I went to this school and enjoyed my time there very much.

Posted: June 30, 2025

McAuliffe has a great school counselor who offers a variety of social emotional support. Students feel seen and welcome. There are lunch time activities with positive lessons around friendship and kindness.

Posted: April 20, 2024

Wonderful neighborhood school. Parking should be easier but a great school.

Posted: February 21, 2023

Something has changed - this school used to be amazing. Now - I would not enroll or recommend enrolling.

Posted: January 2, 2023

This school is fantastic! The teachers always go above and beyond to create a fun learning environment that makes my kids excited for the day ahead. I trust and believe in this school!

Posted: December 4, 2022

We love McAuliffe! Excellent teachers, and lots of events on campus, as well as an excellent counselor. I am happy to have my girls attend school here.

Posted: December 4, 2022

Good school. Principal, teachers, and staff are professional, motivated, and dedicated. Teachers and Staff truly care about the future and education of the students. Teachers and staff work hard day in and day out to ensure the students are safe, motivated, and continue in the right direction.

Posted: December 1, 2022

McAuliffe Elementary is a TK-5th grade school with some of the very best teachers you will ever find! Our teachers genuinely care about students academically, socially and emotionally. Since the pandemic our teachers have worked extremely hard to find the most current research based strategies to help students learn. The community around this school is very warm and inviting as well. Our PTO is AMAZING and very welcoming to all parents, teachers, and the community. Our school received a recent grant for music and all our students are participating in learning more about the culture of the Pacific Islands through playing the 'Ukelele, dancing and singing.

Posted: September 9, 2022

Our first timer first grader was welcomed at McAuliffe like shed been there the year prior! Shes never said one negative thing about the school, kids or teachers, never one mention of any bully. Her behavior at home is calm, mellow and wanting to help. Such positive things from this school!

Posted: September 2, 2022

My child has attended for almost 6 years at McAuliffe. As any school, there has been ups and downs but overall we have loved our school and community. The teachers are amazing and we have been extremely lucky with all of them. Ms. Kelly has been a great principal and this year has been off to a great start with all of her support . As I enter the office frequently, I love seeing Ms. Leticias big warm welcoming smile at the front desk, all the kids love her. PTO is doing so many fun events this upcoming year. Im a proud McAuliffe parent.

Posted: September 13, 2020

This school is the best school ever ! My daughter has been going here through tk-4th grade

Posted: September 13, 2020

Posted: February 3, 2020

We have always had great teachers! My kids have always scored high on tests & are great learners bc of their teachers.

Posted: February 3, 2020

Posted: August 12, 2019

My student has been here for four years and has had a great experience so far!

Posted: August 12, 2019

Posted: August 9, 2019

The teachers and leadership at McAuliffe put the students first and are constantly working to make the school the best it can be.

Posted: August 9, 2019

The teachers at McAuliffe are invested in all students and go above and beyond to make sure each child is seen and heard.

Posted: August 9, 2019

Posted: May 30, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Zero discipline and extra low grades. Regret I brought my child here.

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: March 25, 2019

My fourth grader wasn't reading at grade level, her first grade teacher mrs. B. worked with her every day one on one until she started reading. I've noticed that the kids who struggle get a lot of help.

Posted: March 25, 2019

We haven't seen any bullying at this school.

Posted: March 25, 2019

The teachers all give a little practice homework for students and expectations are high for reading every day.

Posted: March 25, 2019

We have a 4th grader and a 1st grader and the teachers have all been wonderful.

Posted: March 25, 2019

This school uses the 8 Keys of Excellence and every month there is a new one introduced.

Posted: March 25, 2019

This year the leadership is amazing! Morale is higher than ever. The new principal brought student of the month assemblies and something called Big Foot. The teachers seem so happy and so do the kids.

Posted: March 25, 2019

AMAZING! My husband and I love this school!!! It's amazing the principal is amazing, the teachers are wonderful!! I highly recommend this school!!

Posted: March 18, 2019

If there is an issue its handled immediately

Posted: March 18, 2019

Theres a balance and not an overload

Posted: March 18, 2019

Im very pleased with all the teachers weve had here

Posted: March 18, 2019

Our experience has been nothing but amazing. Im very pleased with all the staff, teachers and principal here. I feel confident and safe sending my children to school here everyday.

Posted: January 17, 2018

This has been an amazing school for my boys. They have grown so much both in character and academically. The teachers and staff go the extra mile and the PTA does an excellent job!

Posted: January 17, 2018

Posted: September 20, 2017

I have had nothing but great experiences at McAuliffe. We relocated from a different district with a substantially higher rating and I've been much more satisfied with this school and it's staff/leadership/volunteers. Most of our staff are 20+ year veteran educators, and our principal is very involved in the student body/PTA. I'm in my 4th year at this school and while the testing has seen a decline, I do think we will start to see an incline as our class sizes have been declining and there has been a change in leadership. We also have a very strong PTA that provides substantial benefits to our school such as a self funded art program, STEM technology upgrades, and field trips.

Posted: February 26, 2016

It has come to my attention by way of other parents... that when our kids report being "bullied" or mistreated by another student, the faculty simply force the child to play with their tormentor. To the point of punishing the innocent child if they do not play with this other child. I have personally found this to be true in one case 2 years ago with my child as well.. Sad that so many have had same issue.

Posted: February 26, 2016

My child has atteneded this school for 4 years (2nd-5th grades). We transferred to this school from another, because at the time, it was a great school. Very communicative faculty and staff. However each year this school has declined in all areas. Now our final year here... it's the worse by far! ZERO communication from the staff/faculty. ZERO information on any school activity until literally the evening before. Although I feel for all teaching staff regarding the new Common Core, I do not feel this particular group is contributing to the success of our kids... just babysitting.

Posted: April 24, 2014

I agree with many posts about this schools decline. It decline is becoming more and more rapid. I already had one child graduate this school and when my eldest child was there Mrs. Gliesberg ran an outstanding school and my child succeeded excellently. I have another child going to this school under the new principal and everything mentioned by others is true. All incentives and awards are almost non existant but they're always asking for more money, supplies etc... A few wonderful teachers and staff have left the school over the years. Test scores are down and declining. Emails to the principal go unreplied. Also agree with parents not being curtious or following rules in regards to pick up and drop off it has been dangerous at times. This school is a shell of what it once was.

Posted: January 31, 2014

This a great school, just some parents need to learn how to drive and park and be courteous to parent crossing guards. Now if you wonder where the money goes, attend a PTA meeting!!!! And if you don't like our school because it old then go to another one that is brand new, but good luck because all of those schools have a rating of 2!

Posted: October 2, 2013

This is an outstanding community centered school. All the adults on campus including the principal, teachers and parent volunteers are centered on what's important - the well-being of our children. My children are thriving at this great school, thank you.

Posted: September 20, 2013

Not a family friendly school any more. The principal has been there 3 years and is gone often, which is good. She has managed to single handedly alienate many families. Test scores have plummeted. No longer are there motivational incentives for the children. The principal's attitude is "My way or the highway." It seems as if she's trying to erase any trace of the previous principal's successes in running the school, hence the school is declining in quality staff, morale, and team work attitude it used to have. I know many parents have complained to the district, but they don't seem to listen. This school used to be as good as Ivey Ranch, no longer the case. Cannot wait to have my children out of there. Many teachers that have been there before this principal are wonderful, but they are leaving.

Posted: August 17, 2013

FOLLOW UP to JUNE 6, 2011 review "just completed kindergarten..." Looking back, we were probably just very happy with the kindergarten program - they are, and continue to be, a well oiled machine! Since then, however; we have become increasingly dissatisfied. When we arrived in 2010, CM was an 8, today a 7. Our opinion regarding the principle has completely flipped: "not awesome" is more appropriate - entirely agreeing with the "my way or the highway" and similar comments made by others. Could this attitude be affecting moral among the staff and subsequently test scores among the students? Time will tell. As various PTA parents have "5 STARS & AWESOME!!!" posted, there is much to celebrate here aside from the principle and declining test scores. The PTA has done well to keep parents involved and informed and there is strong parental support . The teachers are good; and most do very well with what they've got to work with. That said, we didn't come here for "fine" "ok" or even "good". We came here for "great", which appears to be slipping away. Therefore, it is our opinion a change is needed soon or we're headed for a 6... which for us, is unacceptable.

Posted: June 17, 2013

Agree 100% with review posted April 5, 2013. Quality for this school has dropped significantly since Principal Gleisberg left and Principal Wilcox started. As long as your child is compliant with their rules and expectations 100% of the time (which frankly, are NOT realistic for overcrowded classrooms populated with the occasional bright, spirited child) and has a quiet and meek personality, he/she will do just fine here. But if your child has special needs - whether a learning disorder, physical needs, or they are highly intelligent/sensitive/spirited - forget it. Do your child(ren) a favor and enroll somewhere where they will be valued for their individuality. I have had a child at this school for 7 years now and am extremely disappointed with how my child was treated this past year. The focus has shifted from caring about kids/families to caring about rigid rule enforcement. Communication between the teacher/principal and parents is lacking. Parents are not given needed information regarding new policies - but we are bombarded with almost daily phone calls and flyers about fundraisers. After 2 years of this, I am fed up and am looking for a new school for my child.

Posted: April 4, 2013

My oldest started as a kinder at McAuliffe in 2001. A couple of years ago we got a a new school principal. The previous principal was phenomenal. She was obvious she CARED about children's success. The new principal has removed any award incentive for the kids. No more 'Student of the Month.' She will not work with families. This is a small community with children with older siblings having attended before them. It is such a disappointment that the new principal is removing activities and awards. The teachers that have been there for a long time are wonderful. The PTA is not the worst nor is it the best the school has had. It seems like them want their kids to be noticed because all the pictures they post of them any opportunity they get. It used to be neck in neck with Ivey Ranch, but since the new principal, Ivey Ranch has surpassed this school with test scores. So unfortunate. Only the old timers will know the difference because new families will never know how great this was and could still be.

Posted: November 2, 2012

The teachers are great and the PTA is very active. my child loves it. i highly recommend this school .

Posted: October 14, 2012

This is our 3rd year with kids at McAuliffe. The teachers at this school are fantastic and truly dedicated to helping our kids achieve their goals. While I am not crazy about the principal, the rest of the staff more than makes up for what she lacks. The PTA is very dedicated, and really works to include everyone in the activities they sponsor. To the reviewer who wondered where all the money raised goes, try going to a PTA meeting - ALL the money goes back into the school in support of teachers and students.

Posted: October 4, 2012

I LOVE McAuliffe! It is upsetting when I read bad reviews about the school because I have nothing but fantastic things to say about the school. I have been a McAuliffe mom for 3 years now and have really enjoyed our time at the school. The principal is very open and always available when I need her and quick to answer any questions I may have. The PTA is a wonderful group of parents that you can tell really take pride in the school and only want the best for our kids. I have never felt pressured if I cant volunteer and when I can, I am always greeted with open arms. I feel the schools communication is great. Emails, flyers and Facebook are all ways to get the word out and keep us busy parents informed. The teachers are wonderful and from my experience, are totally open and available at any time. I am sad to read bad reviews about the school when child and my experience has been amazing!!! Thank you McAuliffe Teachers, parents and PTA. You have a great community that I am proud to be part of!

Posted: October 2, 2012

What an AWESOME school!!! We have been at McAuliffe now for almost 5 years and have enjoyed being a part of such a great school. The new principal is amazing - very accessible and has made some great changes so far. The PTA - WOW , I can't even say enough about the passion they put into everything they do. They have set out to make McAuliffe more of a community and they are succeeding! They keep us well informed and because they are so friendly - they make me WANT to volunteer!! I have met so many wonderful families here. Lastly, the teachers - what a great job they do even with all the budget cuts. They are very dedicated and my children have LOVED every single one of their teachers that they have had. I feel lucky that my kids get to go to McAuliffe. GO CHALLENGERS!!!

Posted: September 17, 2012

We are trying to leave this school but the district has denied our School of Choice application. The principal is nice but will NOT work with parents, not even a compromise. It's her way or the highway. The teachers aren't the best. I agree with the 'tons of paper' comment...we have three kids and get every notice in triplicate. The school is old and ugly. The playground is terrible. The administration is more concerned with healthy food than test scores. IEP...forget it. Every new day is a new fundraiser, and I don't know where the PTA is spending all the money, but our kids are tired. Homework is busy work (word searches, etc.). Traffic is a mess. Wow, I wish I could say something good.

Posted: September 17, 2012

It's hard- I love the teachers and the school community but I am NOT a fan of the principal or her ethics. She doesn't work with the parents and only sees things her way. The PTA is a great group of people and they have stopped doing so many fundraisers and just ask for donations now. A mjor plus!! I want to transfer my kids out of the school- but can't!!!!! Our school systems are so messed up- it' very sad.

Posted: November 17, 2011

I would not recommend this school if your child has special needs. My son began experiencing behaivoral problems starting in 2nd grade, he didn't improve by 3rd grade so we took him to a clinical psychologist and was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome w/ ADHD. The teachers and staff at this school were very insensitive to my son's needs, they lacked compassion, tolerance, and patience, and they provided only the bare minimum for him. We finally had enough and by the time he got to 4th grade we were able to move to Orange County and Wow! What a difference in standards! We went with walls up expecting resistance from all ends but no way none of that happened! My son was welcomed with open arms and accepted from day one. He has all the support he needs and is excelling tremendously. By the way, my daughter, who is typical, also attended here and she did fine, we had no problems with her teachers, so it just goes to show you.

Posted: June 2, 2011

great school that teaches 4th grade (10 yrs of age) on how a child is conceived and period.

Posted: May 26, 2011

my son loves it and so do i one of the top schools with great education

Posted: March 29, 2011

I accualy attended McAuliffe K-5 grades. I personally loved it! There are so many great memories i have there. My teachers were very nice, and although i was not the brightest kid, I tryed my best and respected my teachers. My personal "booster" was having my teachers tell me i did well on one thing or another, and i hope they keep doing that with the kids that go there now.[the little things count] I have academically bloomed since then, but it was becasue of the basic knowledge that i built, here. I live near, and plan to volunteer sometime this year as I move onto College.

Posted: February 16, 2011

We love this school! I have two children at McAuliffe and have found the teachers to be outstanding. Not only to they encourage healthy activities like running and PE, they teach the children to be upstanding citizens. The principal and teachers both encourage the students to be their very best and reward them for doing so. Despite the larger class sizes (due to budget cuts), the teachers continue to look for and implement creative teaching techniques that appeal to all skill levels. The PTA at this school is remarkable. Parents are involved at every level, from recycling to fundraising to assisting in the classroom. You can't turn the corner at this school without running into a parent volunteer or PTA board member... Best of all, the PTA is low stress/low pressure for the parents. It's a "come as you are and do what you can" mentality at this school. Thank goodness we have such wonderful, dedicated people in Oceanside who care for the school and love to help the kids the way they do.

Posted: October 25, 2010

My son attended McAuliffe k-5, I can only say good things about the staff that I have encountered in all the years, and I have another child still there. With all the news around the pledge of allegiance in schools today. I am finding it rather ironic that a couple years ago when my older son attended McAuliffe the class only "found the time on Friday or Monday's" according to his teacher. But my younger one attending the same school said it every day? When I asked her about it she stared at me like I had two heads and asked if I really thought it was that important. Now fast forward to a new school year and new teacher and it's back to one day a week. This from a school named after a NASA trained American Hero? I have no info yet on the new Principal.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Mira Costa Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Oceanside	CA	0.3 mi
2	St. Cloud	Condominium/Townhouse	Oceanside	CA	1.3 mi
3	Montecito village apartments	Apartment Complex	Oceanside	CA	1.5 mi
4	Palisades Pointe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	3.2 mi
5	Shadowridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Vista	CA	4.2 mi
6	Windsor at Aviara	Apartment Complex	Carlsbad	CA	6.3 mi
7	Rancho Carrillo	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	6.9 mi
8	La Costa	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	7.2 mi
9	Torrey Highlands	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	18.1 mi
10	Redhawk	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Temecula	CA	22.1 mi
11	Whispering Winds Apartments	Apartment Complex	San Clemente	CA	23.8 mi
12	Amberwalk Townhomes	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Murrieta	CA	25.2 mi
13	The Ranchos	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Murrieta	CA	25.9 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Carlsbad	Carlsbad	CA	3.9 mi
2	Downtown Oceanside	Oceanside	CA	4.1 mi
3	Encinitas	Encinitas	CA	11.2 mi
4	Lake Rancho Viejo	Fallbrook	CA	12.6 mi
5	Torrey Highlands	San Diego	CA	18.1 mi
6	Mira Mesa	San Diego	CA	21.8 mi
7	Temecula, California	Temecula	CA	23.5 mi
8	Downtown	San Clemente	CA	23.7 mi
9	Wine Country area of Scripps Ranch	San Diego	CA	23.7 mi
10	University City	San Diego	CA	24.3 mi
11	La Jolla	La Jolla	CA	24.4 mi
12	West Side	murrieta	CA	25.4 mi

Base	Distance
Camp Pendleton	12 mi.
Miramar MCAS	24.7 mi.
MCRD San Diego	32.4 mi.
San Diego Naval Medical Center	33.9 mi.
North Island NAS	35.1 mi.
Naval Base Point Loma	35.8 mi.
Coronado Naval Amphibious Base	37.2 mi.
San Diego Naval Base	37.3 mi.
March Air Reserve Base	47.8 mi.

Christa Mcauliffe Elementary School

Oceanside, CA 92056

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Christa Mcauliffe Elementary School

Oceanside, CA 92056

School Ratings

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