Jefferson Elementary School

3743 Jefferson Street

Carlsbad, CA 92008

School District

Carlsbad Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Carlsbad Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 30, 2021

an amazing school. Such a great find.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2017

INCREDIBLE!!! This school is the first school I have ever been to that all the teachers are engaged, love their jobs, passionate about IB curriculum. They focus on teaching children character and moral focus.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2017

we transferred to this school when my son was in 2nd grade and I now have 2 children attending Jefferson. I wouldn't change anything about this school, the teachers, principle and all of the staff are simply amazing! They care for the children in all aspects of their learning, health and development. This is a 5 star school that everyone makes you feel like family. Join the Jefferson Family and you will not be disappointed with the great life skills and diversity your children will learn from attending here.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2016

This is a wonderful school with a fantastic principle and many great teachers. I have 3 children who attend/ have attended Jefferson. IF you want your child to engage in higher-order thinking, learn to be responsible for their own learning, and develop conceptual understanding on a deeper level in a diverse and respectful environment, THEN this school is for you. Please disregard the parent who said that "renting books is much more better." Luckily her children are getting a better education than she did. The irony is that the library holds book fairs (not the PTA) to raise money so that the school can purchase books for lending. (Yes, the library LENDS books, not rents.) AND for goodness sake, let's hope publishing companies never stop publishing books in hopes of saving the world. THIS idiocy would indeed be the downfall of humanity (but thank goodness the trees would be saved)!
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2015

My second child is going through Jefferson, and I have to respond to the nonsensical review below. First of all, my son's father eats lunch with him at school regularly, and he has not had a problem. I imagine you might get uninvited to be on campus if you have been inappropriate or a nuisance. Secondly, why on earth would a school rent instead of selling books? The library checks them out for free, and the book fair sells them. It's a school. Finally, the amazing staff and teachers are the ones who set the tone and culture of the school. There is so much leadership and professionalism on the part of the teachers and other support staff, it almost doesn't matter who the principal is. If a parent doesn't like Mr. Lund, the teachers will give her plenty of reasons why she should get over it. This is a five-star school. I'm grateful every day that I drop my child off that he is in such competent hands. He has blossomed at Jefferson, and we tried 3 different schools before Jefferson. No comparison. Parents looking for the best choice for their child should not be misled by the rambling, weird comments from the previous reviewer.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2015

I should have written this earlier. The principal there Mr. Chad Lund gets the 1 star for promoting good physical exercise and 3/4 stars for a handful of the teachers and a 5 for only two teachers there.1. He doesn't believe "lice is as contagious as the flu" so teachers don't need to advise other parents if a child in their class has it. - I spent hundreds last year getting rid of it, my daughter was infected 3 times in the school year.2. You are not allowed to drop in and check in on your student, not allowed to have lunch with him or her. You are not allowed to be on school campus at anytime for any reason.3. He doesn't believe ADD is a "real" medical issue and doesn't believe children should be labeled with such.4. He promotes bad environmental ethics. He's big on selling books instead of renting. Renting is much more better for our global environment as a whole not just the community. He should find or assign his PTA team to think of better ways to bring money in.These "rules" above are not shared as a district whole. These rules are made up by him and enforced by him alone. The district can not do anything about it. With this it is honestly hard for me as a parent to contribute (ANY) money to Jefferson Elementary School. I would change my daughters school but due to other issues I have to have her stay here. Another side note. Mr. Lund is NOT a parent, never has had children of his own. Yes I believe that does make a difference in governing a career with that many children.
Submitted by other on June 22, 2014

My grandchildren attend Jefferson Elementary School. It is an example of diversity at it's best because of the international and cultural emphasis.
Submitted by other on April 19, 2014

This is a five star school. I volunteer two times per week. The staff is very competent and friendly. The IB program offers broadening opportunities for the students while encouraging higher level thinking skills.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2013

This is a great school with more to offer than the other public elementary schools in the area! There are several reasons why. First, the teaching staff at Jefferson is second to none. I have two children who have been at the school a total of eight years combined and we have never once had a teacher whom we felt was less than exemplary. Each year we say, "how would we ever find a teacher as wonderful as the one we just had?" and have found the next year brings an equally positive experience. The staff at Jefferson has above average years of teaching experience. Their compassion for teaching and commitment to their students is what places them at the top of their peer group. The IB program brings in teachers who are creative and passionate and are willing to go above and beyond to create a learning environment that is individualized for each student. Secondly, Jefferson offers an IB program which brings another dimension to the curriculum. Students are exposed to a more global perspective of the world we share and are taught to understand the importance of their roles as citizens. Finally, the diversity of the school adds a richness to the student's learning experience.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2013

A school with a great spirit. My son will graduate from 5th grade, and I'm heartbroken that he has to leave. It has been a wonderful, enriching experience. Desipte being a larger school, he has found his place here. He has explored so many different things and loved them all- a real music program, language, organic gardening, Lego robotics, dance, science, multiple field trips. There is depth and richness to the curriculum. I have another child at a different Carlsbad school- wow, what a difference. What a mistake not to enroll him at Jefferson inthe first place. A typical Jefferson moment: at the school's talent show, several teachers and even 2 school board members got up and danced hip hop for the kids. They went crazy. Mr. Lund, the principal, entered his own robot in the school's Lego robotics contest. How fun! The IB program teaches the students to respect each other, and they will make friends with children from a variety of racial and socio-economic experiences. You don't find many coddled kinds who think they are the center of the universe here. The IB programs teaches them think and to be grateful and kind- and that's what you find at this school.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2013

I have a child development background and I feel so privileged to have transferred my children to Jefferson (out of a test-prep oriented school) since kindergarten. They are learning at such a young age how to function successfully in a global school setting with a diverse population and a challenging, globally focused curriculum. The STAR testing system is becoming a thing of the past, and the new Common Core is very aligned with the International Baccalaureate principles that Jefferson effuses. The teachers are so creative with curriculum and the principal supports wholeheartedly their efforts and the PTAs. My children have had exposure to organic gardening, violin, chorus, drumming, dancing, drama, language, technolody, etc to name only a few extracurricular activities. A truly GREAT school! Thanks Jefferson!
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2012

Jefferson is a unique school that cares about your child getting a well rounded education. Along with a strong academic focus, they also nurture curiosity, creativity, and a true love of learning. They do not replace key academic areas like science and social studies with test prep. The teachers are incredibly dedicated and creative. Their IB program places a strong emphasis on science and social studies. My daughter did amazing experiments in third grade that many high school students don't get to do! My two children have learned to celebrate diversity, make presentations and perform with poise and confidence, play twice real instruments and read music, create amazing projects with PowerPoint, Animoto, and other multimedia. They had a Spanish teacher last year, but this year they can choose from 25 different languages with Rosetta Stone. They teach children how to problem solve, think critically, and ask questions-important skills for the 21st century! The school board needs to support this school and stop taking all of their grant money!
Submitted by other on August 11, 2011

I just LOVE Jefferson! It's honestly a great school; and I recommend it for all kids who like cool field trips, funny teachers, and awesome friends. First of all, the kids there are super-cool. They tell funny jokes, they aren't lazy, and they're just awesome. Besides, they like new students, and are willing to make friends with them--and there are NO fights at all! Next, the teachers there are funny and well-liked. They're also diverse, and some of them were Jefferson students when they were kids. Additionally, there are some really awesome field trips, such as BizTown, Wild Animal Park, and even the Harding Guest House--and don't forget the beach field trip at the end of the year! Finally, it's where memories are made. You'll always remember it as one of the best schools ever. It'll be in your heart. And that's a promise!
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2011

Jefferson Elementary offers their students an amazing, well rounded education that is based on encouraging students to discover and participate in their community and the world around them. The teachers work together to provide cross curriculum instruction, so the children get to experience art, music, literature, science, math, history, and social studies in each and every subject. The learning environment is dynamic and interesting, and the children are happy! This school is socio-economically and racially diverse, and students learn to embrace and celebrate diversity, not to be afraid of it. The parents are incredibly active in all facets of school life, and it is warmly and enthusiastically encouraged by the principal and staff. With the establishment of the International Baccalaureate program, Jefferson has managed to set the bar so high, that it could easily compete with programs that are typically only offered in a specialized, private school setting. You can just feel the pride and enthusiasm of the students, faculty, staff, and parents. It makes all the difference for my children to attend a school where they are challenged to grow and are still valued as people!
Submitted by other on October 12, 2010

I attended Jefferson Elementary and I can honestly say that the faculty are some of the best around. It was there that my interest in playing music was cultivated as I learned to read music and play the saxophone, which I continued to play into middle school. It was a kind of place where no matter what classroom you stepped into you were genuinely interested in what was being taught because there the teachers love what they do, and it shows.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2010

Inquiry based learning, great teachers, awesome Principal and staff, character development and community participation.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2007

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