La Costa Meadows Elementary School

6889 El Fuerte Street

Carlsbad, CA 92009

School District

San Marcos Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for San Marcos 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 February 06, 2024

The social and emotional well-being of the students take a back seat at this school. They claim to understand the importance of mental health and its connection to academic growth but I have not seen it with the new administration. Staff is supported while the children and their feelings are not considered. I’m glad my child is graduating this year or I would consider moving her to another school.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2021

An amazing school with great educators. You can tell that the teachers are passionate about teaching and actually engage with their students. This makes such a great learning environment for all children. Big on character and leadership! Principal and staff are very professional and friendly. Very happy to be apart of the Dolphin family here!
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2019

I'm disappointed and considering homeschooling because I don't feel my child is safe at this school. It's very sad.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2018

First, the office staff, supervisors, etc are wonderful. Most gen ed teachers are great. If you have a special needs child, however, or a child at risk of being bullied, be very vigilant. The special ed team as a whole used to be great, but they started losing some of their best elements a few years ago, and now it is a mixed bag. IEPs can be poorly written and could have disastrous consequences for your child's future. If you have a special needs child I would suggest that you involve an advocate from the start to make sure IEPs are correctly written and applied, and that your child gets treated appropriately and fairly. Bullying is sometimes addressed properly sometimes not. Several families have had their child removed from LCM or complained these past couple of years because of lack of satisfaction with the special ed team's methods or bullying.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2018

We have had an excellent experience here. Our third grader transferred in this year, having done first and second grades overseas in the British system. We were concerned that the level of rigor here might be well below what he experienced in the British system, so we settled in the LaCosta area because of the excellent rating of LCM. We have not been disappointed. Our son's teacher (Ms Dalmacio) is outstanding--a real gem. We have observed the class on several occasions and students are engaged and relaxed, but things are always under control. Our son made strong progress this year--and has enjoyed the experience, as well. Homework load has been reasonable, and the assignments have reflected imagination and creativity. Ms Dalmacio goes out of her way to communicate regularly with parents and is very approachable. Office staff are always friendly and helpful. I have spent the past 30 years of my career in education, and I am very impressed with LCM!
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2017

La Costa Meadows is excellent 10/10. We are very happy with the teachers, curriculum, administrators.
Submitted by student on April 06, 2017

LCM was a complete waste of time. I did not learn anything at this school; and I mean absolutely nothing. I was here from grades 2 - 5, and I remember learning the exact same academic material from all years. It has not prepared me for future school years to come. I continue to struggle in academics today, just because I haven't learned what I should have during my years at this terrible school. Outside of the outrageously poor education system, the food is TERRIBLE. The amount of homework is as light as a feather. I regret my decision to enroll at this school. I am very stunned to read all these "high reviews", for my experience affects my academic areas today. Please, I ask you to look for other schools out there. I can't imagine a worse school in the area.
Submitted by other on November 18, 2015

By the time we're done we'll have had 3 boys all go K - 5th grade at LCM ... so proud and pleased so far. We have an 8th grader, one in 5th grade and a 4 year old who can't wait for Kindergarten at LCM. As a busy Dad I've truly enjoyed the few times I've been able to attend the Friday Flag Salute (usually held twice a month) which really puts on display the supportive vibe & friendly passion the staff and teachers have here for our kids. I've found Principal Klimas to be very approachable, friendly and still has the heart of teacher (he was my oldest son's 5th grade teacher a few years ago). To balance all the core subjects offered the PTA community steps in to fund a science garden, Music, Art classes & events throughout the year. Very pleased & proud to be a Dolphin.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2014

La Costa Meadows is excellent 10/10. We are very happy with the teachers, curriculum, administrators, and KOC. We heard LCM is being rebuilt soon with funds from the recent voter approved bond - 2 story very nice. The extracurricular activities are great as well. Hopefully there will be more labs (science, AR,..), equipment and security. One thing that amazes is that some parents will not make a $250 wave fund contribution for their children which funds the extras that students need. LCM is great, our kids are happy and doing very well.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2014

We have two kids enrolled in this school. A kindergartener and a second grader. We love our assigned teachers. They are stellar. This school is unique because they focus on the 7 habits for kids. They stress character AND academics! Too cool for school!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2014

I love LCM! My three kids have had great teachers. I love Mrs. Krupsaw and Mrs. revell. They are firm but loving. My kids all learned to read and their writing was amazing. Mrs. Embree, ms. Mine and Armstrong rock. There jobs are tough with the hard critics out there. Try teaching so many kids to be kind... Some parents aren't ...
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2014

La Costa Meadows is an fantastic elementary school led by a dedicated team of administrators, teachers, and staff. There is a commitment to the academic success of all students within a positive environment. The school emphasis academics, character, and the importance of college. Parents are extremely involved with one of the strongest PTA's I've ever seen. During the downturn, the PTA raised resources to fund the music teacher, after school programming, and so much more. We loved our time at LCM.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2014

LCM is a fantastic school with a well rounded education for my kids. My boys are getting a great education, enriched with Music, Art and Science and have the opportunity to try out many new activities through the after school programs (LPP). I love the administration, they are positive and are doing their best to make LCM a great place to learn. I feel bad for the people below with negative experiences because we have had a great Elementary experience at La Costa Meadows. I am very impressed with the amount of parent involvement and the sense of community at this school. My boys love it and are so glad we moved over by LCM.
Submitted by parent on December 28, 2013

I really wanted to like this school. My kindergardener sat with a raised hand to be excused to use the restroom - well, teacher never saw him and he had an accident. Even worse she sent him on to KOC where he had to sit separated from the other kids for almost 2 hours before I could get there. And worse yet, she won't respond to my emails asking for an understanding of the situation and what the class policy is because my child hasn't gone in his pants since he was 3, and he is a true rule follower, so this is not acceptable. I just asked my kids today if they would be sad to leave LCM and they both, literally, screamed "NO." Sorry, but the teachers are so disconnected, principal is MIA, and the parent helpers spend their "helping" time gossiping with the other helpers, so the kids are left to fend for themselves. Half the food in my kids' lunches come home because they need help opening something and theres no one to be found. I helped in the 2nd grade (along with ~5other parent) and was 1 of maybe 3 that were actually helping. The otheres were there for appearances. It really saddens me because there is great potential. And KOC...don't get me started....
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2013

I appreciated LCM while my boys attended the school. Now that they are in a different school and district, I appreciate LCM even more. For our family, it started with Mrs.Carter, the principal at the time. She did an amazing job. We were fortunate enough to have had some of the best teachers as well. Mrs.Murphy, Mrs.Costa, Ms. Hoisington, Mrs.Cherveny, Mrs.Tague, and some others that have left the school. I loved that the supervisors knew the names of so many of the students. And the amazing PTO. What a wonderful group of parents that work so tirelessly to supplement and enrich the students with music, science garden, and computer lab. I am very sad for my boys that they had to leave LCM, but so happy to know that their friends that attend LCM have an amazing school to learn and grow in.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2013

Teachers & office staff I interacted with seem nice & well organized, school has decent API score,others nearby with higher. Class of 33 kids & 2 teachers. My child is very disappointed that she doesn't really get to play on the playground. Don't do like I did- Before school starts drive past the school to point out the playground , you will set your child up for huge disappointment like I did. *not enough characters allowed to explain* Like other government run schools they need more money .It doesn't bother me, however to some they may seem a little pushy about donations They will also be doing a huge Halloween fundraiser carnival event. At orientation we were presented with information about the school implementing a new government/Obama :-( core curriculum. Honestly I am uneasy about my kid being some of the first while they work out the kinks. The person directing traffic today behaved terribly. I understand she may be a volunteer however The woman was still waving me forward as a kid ran in front of my car,Then yelled at me to drive faster and at children like a prison warden to go through the gate. Keeping traffic moving rather than children seemed to be priority.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

I LOVE this school. It has a great sense of community and excellent teachers. My son has Mrs. Sandoval for first grade this year and he has done nothing but flourish in her class and in LCM's supportive learning environment.
Submitted by other on April 27, 2013

Our first and hopefully last year at this school. On this date: April 27, 2013, the school has 950 students - a figure quoted from the office staff. Notice the header on the top of this page says 798 students. We too have experience several security and safety issues. The kids are 6, 8 and 9. Dismissal is a free for all - kids usually unsupervised, running around just feet from the massive line of cars picking up. The 6 year old was repeatedly sent home, without permission, with other children. 5th graders help direct the traffic in the parking lot pick up zone!! The policy of having visitors sign in and wear a sticker has improved....but still often see non-staff wondering around....walking right through the office without being stopped and questioned! School had a lock down because a student went missing, but we were not informed. At a Flag day salute for Kindergarteners, the students were led by older students in an anti- drug pledge! Not age appropriate! School communication involves phone calls, paper letters, emails, e-blasts.....and we still are left in the dark on many things. The school is overwhelmed; safety and security policies are not followed.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2013

I am very disappointed! Not only has my 5 year old been allowed to leave with an unapproved adult, my requests for control measures at release especially with the large amounts of subs in the class have not been addressed. The focus is on doing worksheet after worksheet. It is even used as their 'creative play'! My child went from liking to color to scribbling like a 2-year old again. As for academics like reading, make sure you teach them. We're looking for something else next year!