Mission Estancia Elementary School

3330 Calle Barcelona

Carlsbad, CA 92009

School District

Encinitas Union Elementary
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Encinitas Union Elementary 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 March 19, 2024

This school has been a bit of a disappointment in terms of academic focus. Time is spent each week on their emotional learning class (taught by an instructor that has so many biases it’s ridiculous) but I have yet to see a single piece of math homework this entire year. Virtually nothing is being communicated to the parents in terms of what students are actually learning. My child regularly attends offsite math tutoring and despite our tutoring services reaching out to his teacher to better understand what he can be working on, there is no response. I do not believe my child is being prepared for a successful future in middle and high school. Oh but they suddenly become super communicative when it comes to fundraising. We are exploring private school for the remainder of his education.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2023

We've completed our first year (kindergarten) at Mission Estancia. They weave in wonderful programs that focus on emotional regulation and development.
Submitted by other on June 11, 2023

My experience with the general education staff has been positive ;p however, it is the special education -specifically for mild-moderate students, that I found notably concerning on every level. Special education identified students have an Individual Education Plan which includes specifics on the students individual needs. This program does the bare minimum to "manage" the students instead of develop and educate. There is no curiosity on how to best engage with the student, there is zero creativity in reaching them. It is a barely a check the box approach. Instead of seeing the students diagnosis as a floor, they approach it as a ceiling and an excuse for keeping the status quo. When parents ask for more detailed information or documentation, they are spoken to in a condensing manner and blocked from any transparency. Worse than that, the "professional management" routinely speaks derogatorily about these parents openly in the classroom as if these students are hearing impaired or cannot comprehend what is being openly talked about with other staff in the room. It is shameful. The paraprofessionals, or aids, implement the work and the "managing staff" rarely appear, consult , or value the input from the people who actually do the work with the students. They also create the appearance that they work regularly with the students and devalue any role that the paraprofessional play so parents aren't even aware of who actually knows the student best. The environment is not only a disservice but an irresponsible and abusive approach to these special kids. The upper management may have the paper qualifications but they are missing the most essential part of working with these amazing students and that is care, compassion, creativity and curiosity. They are so busy creating an illusion they spend little time on growth or improvement - theirs or their students - which creates a tragic level of mediocrity. The students are then ill equipped to advance into junior high and beyond because the foundation is so tragically missing. When they get staff that does care and asks questions or really wants to develop and inspire these great kiddos, they squelch them, diminish them, disregard them and these individuals typically leave the school and district making room for them to hire in more like minded , mediocre babysitters. That's what they perpetuate - a mediocre program where they do the bare minimum to simply manage the kids. Had I known then what I know now.....
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2023

The school is absolute joke. They hide behind their pristine walls and so-called stellar reputation when it’s actually quite the opposite. Don’t let the upper class suburban soccer moms fool you. My frustrations are with the administration and their apathetic approach to resolving academic issues in their SpEd program. The worst part of it all is their heinous program specialists (or whatever Kim & Ronnie’s titles are). How is it professional to laugh and make inappropriate remarks about a students progress & behaviors and justifies it by stating “Well he’s just in elementary school, it happens”. When asked for work samples or data to support what they were claiming, they completely brushed off the request as if we’re inconveniencing them. Then why is our child reading at a kindergarten level when he’s in the fifth grade??? There’s something wrong with that picture! But according to them, he’s just doing “great.” My boyfriend sat through a two hour triennial, which is a meeting meant to discuss in depth a students progress, not rushed through bc that’s all the time you have. I’ve worked in the SpEd school systems for 11years and I have never seen a school operate the way that it does. It’s absolutely atrocious!!! This school is NOT invested in their SpEd program and it thoroughly shows. This school is all about the aesthetics and providing the bare minimum for their SpEd students. It’s an embarrassment and major disservice to those students that need the most help. Shame on you!
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2018

Above and beyond the expected for an elementary school. Wow! Never anything but impressed with this community school!
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2017

My daughter is now part of the "special needs" thank heavens, and I see a marked improvement. in her confidence and attitude toward school in general. The teacher:student ratio in regular classes could be better, and ME's habit of combining two grade levels simultaneously in one classroom was not a good experience for my daughter or for us as parents of a child with unique challenges. Definitely considering private school next year.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2017

We have two children attending this ME and we have had some very passionate teachers that raise the bar and others that are don't. Leadership starts at the top! The principal needs to be more involved, come in early, know the children and not focus on being liked by the parents and Facebook...great PTA and fundraising efforts and thankful to all the parent involvement that make this school special.
Submitted by teacher on September 26, 2015

Mission Estancia is a family! In this small, supportive community, students flourish. I am proud and so happy to be a part of this school! Wonderful learning experiences happen here and students are loved, supported and challenged in their education. M.E. Is the best!
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2015

Hi Tech Friendly, Low Student Teacher ratio, great field Trips and very concerned Teachers and an active fund raising effort by PTA
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2015

We were new to Mission Estancia last year and have had a wonderful experience. My son's 2nd grade and 3rd grade teachers were engaged, thoughtful and kind with their students. I also have a kindergartener who absolutely loves going to school. The community and parents are welcoming and active. We couldn't be happier!
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2014

I have one child who attended Mission Estancia from K-6. The experience differed as the changes in principals took place. The first principal was kid based, whereas the second was not. It became more of a business as it was number driven. Elementary school is supposed to teach children about the love of learning. I have not seen that in the past 3 years. We now have a new principal. The community needs to come together and the school needs to support that. My second child is there now. I hope this principal will lead the school down a kid based path and the community will support the teachers. The teachers are as good as the principal and the curriculum allows them to be. I see very dedicated teachers. Your child will do well as you support the teachers and focus on the development of your child. Parent involvement for the benefit of all the children needs to be in the forefront. Mission Estancia has a good reputation and needs to continue to concentrate on our children's education for the future.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2014

I have two daughters who started at M.E., and I can honestly say that everything about the school is wonderful. It is unfortunate that some people choose to badmouth the school simply because they disagree with certain programs (yoga). Get over it. I moved back to Encinitas so that my kids could go to the wonderful schools like I did when I was a kid, and I'm very pleased with the curriculum, the faculty, the support staff, and the administration.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

We moved here because of the reviews of this school. We were extremely disappointed and stressed with our child much of the year. Some teachers and all support staff we have encountered have been sub par. Our child was not a classroom conducive to learning and when we tried to switch multiple times, the school was so full they couldn't. So not to waste any more time, we moved to a nearby school and have great success. Our child has gone from an unfocussed student with "special needs" to the top of the class and far exceeding the grade level in less than a week. Poor classroom management and lack of administration overlooking the tenured teachers.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2014

This school is horribly mismanaged. The principal expels first graders for rough play on the playground. She has to resort to such measures because the kids are left unsupervised often. This use to be a good school prior to the current principal.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2014

This school has rapidly declined over the past three years. The incredible teachers my older student had have all recently retired. The few amazing teachers left, that had years of experience to establish programs that excited students to learn, have been moved to teach drastically different grade levels. My student is bored daily. Their class silent reads sometimes as a class for 2 hours in a school day. During the two week school wide study of the oceans, math was not taught. I can't figure this out. The consultants that all of the school fundraising goes to now are terrible. The new yoga program is never interrupted and takes time away from basic subjects and is infused with quotes promoting social collectivism.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2013

Mission Estancia is an amazing school with immense parent involvement. We've only the best experience at the school, having attended 2 out-of-state school previously.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2011

Teachers are average. Not enough communication with parents regarding kids. Discipline is innapropriate and negative for the younger kids. Too much like military and not nurturing. Children aren't able to express themselves properly and are frustrated. Will not return next year