Carlsbad/San Marcos (San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Mission Hills: how much, houses, neighborhoods)

[S888]

My husband and I were in San Diego this past weekend driving around neighborhoods to get a feel for housing prices and what areas we might set a realtor on.

We really liked the houses around Melrose in Carlsbad and San Marcos. (Adobe type, newer (1990's +), 1600+ square feet, 4bd or 3 w/den)
The price range seemed like you got more for your $$. Seemed like you got a lot for your money in the 500-600 range.
Are all these homes in the San Marcos school district?
I have been hearing some conflicting info on the high schools -- San Marcos High and Mission Hills. People said Mission Hills was somewhat better. From the demographics, in both schools whites are the minority. I am fine with diversity (my high school was 40% minority), but I am concerned with my girls being picked on if they are in the minority (being white). Is this an issue?
Also, for Carlsbad there is one high school called Carlsbad Village Academy that had lower scores than Carlsbad HS. I found the boundary map for Carlsbad School district that shows the boundaries for elementary and middle schools, but it does not show who goes to this small high school of only 100+ kids. What is the deal? Who goes to Carlsbad Village Academy?

We are checking to make sure there are houses we like that have schools of at least a 6 on greatschool.net (our current elementary is a 3) in the 500-600 range.

Thanks for your help!

[CrissCT]

Originally Posted by S888

We are checking to make sure there are houses we like that have schools of at least a 6 on greatschool.net (our current elementary is a 3) in the 500-600 range.

Thanks for your help!

I don't have info on these areas for you but just be aware that you can't compare ratings on greatschools between states. The scores are based on the state's standards and so you can only compare schools within the same state. Good luck.

[NYSD1995]

6 on greatschools in Southern California might mean a very iffy school. Personally I would set the threshold at 8 or above. I know that the 5's in my area have some pretty serious problems.

[S888]

I did more research. Area looks like I was in La Costa and San Elijo Hills area (?). Both go to San Elijo Middle school and San Marcos High for 2008-2009.
Both got an 8 on greatschools.net.
So I guess the question boils down to -- San Marcos High ok school?
I know most schools you get drugs, gangs etc. I'm not sure what I mean by ok, I know it would help if I would be more specific. Hmm, I'm not looking for a high school like they had on the tv program The O.C., but also don't want a high school like the ones in the movies where the substitute starts carrying a bat (lol). Anyone go there? Opinions? Thanks much!

[kimmer]

I don't know if this helps any, and I know some people are going to not believe this, but San Marcos high was rated one of the 1000 top schools (#421), in the country by Newsweek (for what that's worth). I don't know what their grading criteria was to rank the schools. My impression is that the high school has been improving it's reputation. My kid is still too young, he goes to elementary school in San Marcos, so I can't give any first or second-hand accounts of what's it like to attend. Hopefully someone here can give you a good account of the school.

Sounds like Carlsbad Village Academy is a private school of some kind?

The housing developments you mentioned are indeed part of the San Marcos and possibly La Costa school districts. The district has been moving kids around in the western parts of San Marcos (not sure about the southwestern parts (San Elijo Hills), because they're opening a new school in the northwest part of San Marcos. You might double-check with the district before buying, just in case they haven't updated their website yet on boundary changes.

[S888]

Found the Newsweek list. It is interesting. They use a ratio for AP tests for the # of kids who graduate. It at least might show that a school encourages AP tests. Not sure if the order on the list is accurate, but being on the list seems to be a good sign. (lol one of our #1 schools is much lower than expected.)
My kids are young (5 and 4), so things may change much by the time they get to high school anyway. The high school was just the one that I wasn't sure of. The Elementary and Middle schools in the area seemed solid.

[kimmer]

San Elijo Hills Elementary is in it's first year, but the chatter I hear from parents is that it seems pretty good - same with the middle school. Discovery Elementary is good.
Some of the kids in Old Creek Ranch (along San Elijo Hills Rd just off Rancho Santa Fe) & further north off Rancho Santa Fe go to La Costa Meadows. Parents like that school, as well.

[Unkllars]

Where will you be working and what needs do you have? Its awesome to see how much you care for your children!! I'll do a search on the house vs. price in that area and get back to you. Its good to learn more about the schools there since my wife and I have been looking to move there since we enjoy college cities and Cal State San Marcos is growing and will be great.

[LookingtoLeave]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

6 on greatschools in Southern California might mean a very iffy school. Personally I would set the threshold at 8 or above. I know that the 5's in my area have some pretty serious problems.

Wow, then I dread to think what the 4s and below are like.

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by LookingtoLeave

Wow, then I dread to think what the 4s and below are like.

In the case of an elementary school, basically you are just looking at a large ESL population. For middle and above, you start getting into the more serious behavior problems, fighting, gangs, et...