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South Oceanside Elementary School

Oceanside, CA 92054

Phone: (760) 435-2100
Fax: (760) 439-9954
District: Oceanside Unified School District

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GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades KG,1,2,3,4,5 • 487 students

South Oceanside Elementary School, a public school located in Oceanside, CA, serves grades K-5 in the Oceanside Unified School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 4 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

South Oceanside Elementary School is a public school located in Oceanside, CA. 487 students attend South Oceanside Elementary School.

School Ratings

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: September 4, 2025

My experience at this school is wonderful. It's going to be another great year!

Posted: September 4, 2025

Posted: August 5, 2025

We sold our house specifically to move back into the zone for South O Elementary. We have had such a positive school experience in the last few years. The highlight for us has been the garden of course, which involves the students in its care and education. We of course also love the teachers and the rest of the staff. Theyve made the school experience really positive for our student.

Posted: August 5, 2025

My daughter attended south o elementary for all grades and had an amazing experience. She still says how much fun she had and wished she was still there. My son is currently at south o elementary and we are still loving it! All the staff and teachers are super welcoming and truly care. Both our children have overcome both learning and emotional hurdles with the help and support from south o staff.

Posted: August 5, 2025

Posted: September 5, 2023

I have had two children go through this school, and we've had great experiences both times. The teachers have been caring and kind. They created lasting connections with my child and pushed them to try their best. Additionally, the community of South O community couldn't be better. I feel lucky to live here and have my children benefit from such a tight knit neighborhood. Additionally, the PTO is welcoming and organizes many fun family events and fundraisers.

I am a teacher myself in another district, but I kept my students at their local school because I want them to have the experience of going to school with their neighborhood friends. I also have been very happy with the level of instruction and overall support at this school. My children are thriving with their South O education.

Posted: September 5, 2023

I have had 2 kids go through South O Elementary. We have had wonderful teachers and the staff has been equally as wonderful. Our community is tight knit and we have lots of local businesses that support us. Our kids really enjoyed their time there.

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: December 1, 2022

South O is all about community. The teachers bring years of quality experience to the classroom and love what they do. The office staff and those who serve the community in non-teaching roles are kind and helpful. The school garden program is amazing with a professional chef (and "Chopped" champion) teaching the students how to prepare food grown in the garden. The BASE afterschool program is exceptional and is constantly expanding due to the high demand for their program. South O is a gem.

Posted: December 1, 2022

Posted: August 12, 2022

South Oceanside Elementary is a great example of community all around! The teachers go over and above for their students, the administration as well. The principal every year visits every entering Kindergartener at home and welcomes this to South O with a "South O graduating class of..." t-shirt.
The PTO is super involved and makes sure that everyone feels welcome at South Oceanside. They have great programs at South O too! Like their garden and music program. This past year they added a full time school counselor as well that is ensuring every child's social emotional health and development is supported.

Posted: August 12, 2022

Posted: November 24, 2019

Both of my boys went to this school. My first got out right when they closed Ditmar. At the time, it was all South 'O kids of almost one ethnicity (guess?) and it was the elementary for teachers to be at so a lot of teachers in the Oceanside School Dist. pulled seniority to teach here (yep, teachers were all old, but very good). Then the school buses came. And they brought kids from outside South 'O. So many things changed. Even the teachers hoping to ride out their last few years were upset. The cute little school went from putting up leading star school testing banners to offering English as a second language classes at night. Well, my second did not learn as much as my first, and, luckily, Oceanside was approving inter-school transfers back then and he finished elementary in Carmel Valley.

Posted: November 24, 2019

Posted: November 10, 2018

Leadership at this school is horrible because they do not make learning a priority and they teach sex ed in first grade. Another child showed my daughter his penis on the second day of school. They use no common sense when it comes to what is best for children. Children would have 'dates' on the playground and the adults did nothing to stop it.

Posted: November 10, 2018

This school pretty much encourages bullying because they do nothing about it. My five year old child is smart and does well in school and she was getting bullied because of it. By daughter was constantly being hit, sit on, and harassed at school. Her teacher did nothing about it because she said that all of the kids in kindergarten were learning to keep their hands to themselves. My daughter learned that in preschool so she was having a hard time responding to being hit so much. There was also a classmate that would bother my child when she was trying to complete her game in the computer lab so she won't get a good score. A classmate stole her headband and tole my child that she was mean for asking for it back.

Posted: November 10, 2018

My daughter was stabbed in the eye with a marker by another student. Her teacher did not call when it happened or make an accident/incident report. When I talked to her about it her response was that markers were soft. Markers are not soft and it left a blood spot on my daughter's that she had explain for 10 days after the incident. The ink in the marker could also be toxic. My child and I also lost our home during that time and were living out of our car. I told my daughter's teacher about the situation because it was causing her some anxiety. Her teacher told me that I am the cause of her anxiety and that I shouldn't talk about what we were going through in front of her. On top of that when I asked her to hang onto her assignments or papers I she wanted me to keep because our car was so full of things and I wanted to be able to keep those things she refused. Her lack of compassion was astounding. I am disappointed in her as an educator but as a human being.

Posted: November 10, 2018

This school doesn't care about it's students and it shows. They let so many things get in the way of the learning process they could care less if these kids succeed.

Posted: November 2, 2017

My Child is behind in reading and math . I was told basically oh well....still waiting for help !!

Posted: November 2, 2017

Posted: March 10, 2017

The Principal is amazing and very involved in the school. He hand delivers t-shirts to all new kindergarten students to welcome them to South O. He goes to the house every kindergartner to meet and welcome them!

Posted: March 10, 2017

They have several programs and a policy in place to support students. They also do fun activities like Kindness Week to teacher students about empathy and being kind to others.

Posted: March 10, 2017

South O is an amazing school and my children love it here! The teachers really care about children and the overall climate is very positive. The PTO is very involved and plan so many awesome activities for student like Car Show, Halloween Carnival, Movie Nights, Dances and more. South O is a great community school!

Posted: March 10, 2017

Teachers send home work that reinforces skills rather than just busy work. There is not a huge amount of homework.

Posted: March 10, 2017

We love the teachers here. They are very caring and experienced. Most of the teachers have been at South O for a long time and really care about the school. The environment is very caring and supportive of students.

Posted: March 10, 2017

The school has a character development program called the 8 Keys of Excellence and anti-bullying and cyber bullying program. They also have monthly assemblies to build school pride and encourage these skills.

Posted: July 3, 2012

This was my daughters first year attending South O and she loved it, coming from her that says a lot. She started third grade last her, and for the first time she did not want the year to end. The teachers, staff, and Mr. Johnston the principle are just great. They all really care for the kids and you can see that. My daughter came from a very stressful school, that but a lot of pressure on the kids. It was awesome coming here and seeing our daughter blossom. With having no stress she was able to learn so much more. It was truly awesome to see. She woke up everyday wanting to go to school and learn. This school really made a difference to our family. I cant say thank you enough. Mrs.Engstrom was the best third grade teacher. She is one of those teachers you will never forget. I was so thankful my daughter had her for a teacher. The principle and staff has really made a wonderful and peaceful learning environment for the kids. We love South O. Thank you. The Brown Family

Posted: May 10, 2011

This school deserves to be rated at a ten!!! I have known Mr. Johnston (the principal) since high school and he is as great now as he was then! My daughter has attended the school since kindergarden (she is now in the second grade) and she loves going to school every morning! Ms. Engle, Ms. Troxel, Ms. Templeton and Ms. Jones (her teachers) have all been great! We love the school!

Posted: October 12, 2010

South "O" is a five star school all around. The school staff, parents, and community are caring and provide a positive learning environment everyday.

Posted: April 23, 2010

My son goes here, and both my husband and me attended this school. They have been awesome to my son and his special needs. He is improving everyday. Love this school.

Posted: December 5, 2009

Posted: May 11, 2009

Posted: March 12, 2009

Reviews provided by GreatSchools^™

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Palisades Pointe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	2.7 mi
2	Mira Costa Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Oceanside	CA	3.2 mi
3	St. Cloud	Condominium/Townhouse	Oceanside	CA	4.4 mi
4	Montecito village apartments	Apartment Complex	Oceanside	CA	4.4 mi
5	Windsor at Aviara	Apartment Complex	Carlsbad	CA	6.4 mi
6	Shadowridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Vista	CA	6.7 mi
7	La Costa	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	7.5 mi
8	Rancho Carrillo	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	8.1 mi
9	Torrey Highlands	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	18.4 mi
10	Whispering Winds Apartments	Apartment Complex	San Clemente	CA	23.1 mi
11	Redhawk	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Temecula	CA	25.1 mi
12	Spectrum Center Blvd, Kearny Mesa	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	27.4 mi
13	Amberwalk Townhomes	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Murrieta	CA	27.5 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Carlsbad	Carlsbad	CA	1.4 mi
2	Downtown Oceanside	Oceanside	CA	1.8 mi
3	Encinitas	Encinitas	CA	10.4 mi
4	Lake Rancho Viejo	Fallbrook	CA	15.8 mi
5	Torrey Highlands	San Diego	CA	18.4 mi
6	Mira Mesa	San Diego	CA	22.1 mi
7	Downtown	San Clemente	CA	22.7 mi
8	La Jolla	La Jolla	CA	23.3 mi
9	University City	San Diego	CA	23.7 mi
10	Wine Country area of Scripps Ranch	San Diego	CA	24.4 mi
11	Temecula, California	Temecula	CA	26.4 mi
12	West Side	murrieta	CA	27.7 mi

Base	Distance
Camp Pendleton	12.6 mi.
Miramar MCAS	24.7 mi.
MCRD San Diego	31.6 mi.
San Diego Naval Medical Center	33.3 mi.
North Island NAS	34.2 mi.
Naval Base Point Loma	34.6 mi.
Coronado Naval Amphibious Base	36.5 mi.
San Diego Naval Base	36.8 mi.
March Air Reserve Base	49.7 mi.

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South Oceanside Elementary School

Oceanside, CA 92054

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