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Turtleback Elementary

Q: Is Turtleback Elementary a good school?

Turtleback Elementary ranks 1315 th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

1315^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,857 California Elementary Schools

Better than 78% of California elementary schools

Summary

Turtleback Elementary is a K-5 public school serving 458 students in the 92127 ZIP code of San Diego, operating within the highly-regarded Poway Unified School District.

While Turtleback consistently earns a 4-star rating and outperforms California state averages, it lags significantly behind its own district and most nearby schools in core academic subjects. For example, its 2024-2025 proficiency rates in English (61.11%) and Math (57.8%) are well below the district averages, and its 40% proficiency in Science is a particular area of concern, especially when compared to neighbors like Rolling Hills Elementary (84.72% Science) and Design 39 Campus (75.9% Science). The school's chronic absenteeism rate, though improved from pandemic highs, remains above the district average at 11.8%.

This performance gap exists despite Turtleback spending more per student than several comparable schools. The school shows notable strength in supporting its special education students, who perform in the 88th percentile. When compared to a very similar school like Highland Ranch Elementary, which has a similar size and student demographics, Turtleback's lower scores suggest factors beyond resources or demographics are at play. Overall, the school demonstrates stability but faces clear challenges in closing the academic gap with other high-performing schools in the Poway Unified district.

458

Students ?

19.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,488

Per pupil spending ?

21.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

15855 Turtleback Rd.
San Diego, CA 92127-2044

(858) 673-5514

District: Poway Unified

Students who attend Turtleback Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Bernardo Heights Middle
High:	Rancho Bernardo High

Racial breakdown:

White:

34.5%

Asian:

26.9%

Hispanic:

23.1%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Turtleback Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 86th percentile in 2013 → 78th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (56% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 22% of California elementary schools

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 8 percentile points since 2013

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Near the bottom of Poway Unified's ranking

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school56%

District avg68%

California avg41%

1,315^th of 5,857

California public elementary schools ?

Top 22%▼ down 9 pts since 2015

From top 13% (2015) to top 22% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

24^th of 26Elementary Schools in the Poway Unified

106^th of 1,543Poway Unified among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	76.4	1315 of 5857	77.5%	★★★★☆
2024	77.0	1291 of 5869	78.0%	★★★★☆
2023	82.0	1094 of 5859	81.3%	★★★★☆
2022	83.2	1039 of 5883	82.3%	★★★★☆
2019	83.2	1007 of 5789	82.6%	★★★★☆
2018	86.6	820 of 5662	85.5%	★★★★☆
2017	84.8	925 of 5692	83.7%	★★★★☆
2016	87.3	779 of 5614	86.1%	★★★★☆
2015	87.6	749 of 5611	86.7%	★★★★☆
2013	84.6	785 of 5530	85.8%	★★★★☆
2012	85.8	685 of 5390	87.3%	★★★★☆
2011	88.8	508 of 5377	90.6%	★★★★★
2010	90.2	431 of 5314	91.9%	★★★★★
2009	91.6	377 of 5193	92.7%	★★★★★
2008	93.5	280 of 5113	94.5%	★★★★★
2007	94.5	260 of 5113	94.9%	★★★★★
2006	93.7	290 of 4818	94.0%	★★★★★
2005	90.0	483 of 4822	90.0%	★★★★★
2004	90.8	467 of 4809	90.3%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	44.0	806 of 1203	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.3	793 of 1205	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	51.5	730 of 1190	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	51.6	714 of 1154	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	67.6	427 of 1149	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.1	590 of 1071	44.9%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	81.1	284 of 2227	87.2%	★★★★☆
2019	62.6	660 of 2585	74.5%	★★★★☆
2018	62.8	529 of 2128	75.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	70.9	1465 of 5597	73.8%	★★★★☆
2024	78.3	1158 of 5612	79.4%	★★★★☆
2023	80.2	1088 of 5609	80.6%	★★★★☆
2022	82.3	999 of 5635	82.3%	★★★★☆
2019	82.4	955 of 5492	82.6%	★★★★☆
2018	89.6	588 of 5413	89.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	65.6	1417 of 5107	72.3%	★★★★☆
2024	58.8	1742 of 5107	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.1	2052 of 5087	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	67.2	1292 of 5084	74.6%	★★★★☆
2019	82.9	596 of 4963	88.0%	★★★★☆
2018	89.7	318 of 4830	93.4%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	66.1	1483 of 5460	72.8%	★★★★☆
2024	53.7	2145 of 5517	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.2	1109 of 5363	79.3%	★★★★☆
2022	65.8	1374 of 5264	73.9%	★★★★☆
2019	86.6	421 of 5173	91.9%	★★★★★
2018	90.7	259 of 5084	94.9%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	78.3	1137 of 5628	79.8%	★★★★☆
2024	74.1	1322 of 5643	76.6%	★★★★☆
2023	80.6	1065 of 5638	81.1%	★★★★☆
2022	82.0	1015 of 5663	82.1%	★★★★☆
2019	81.5	995 of 5510	81.9%	★★★★☆
2018	79.6	1079 of 5431	80.1%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	52.4	383 of 670	42.8%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	83.0	331 of 2847	88.4%	★★★★☆
2024	68.6	518 of 2635	80.3%	★★★★☆
2023	77.5	346 of 2420	85.7%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	52.4	1342 of 2598	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.4	1563 of 2651	41.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	59.2	1146 of 2661	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.7	1195 of 2726	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.1	1367 of 2834	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	66.1	961 of 2737	64.9%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Special Education (2025)88th percentile+11 vs school

Disabled (2022)87th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2025)80th percentile~ school

Female (2025)74th percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)73rd percentile-5 vs school

Hispanic (2025)72nd percentile-5 vs school

White (2025)48th percentile-29 vs school

Multi-racial (2024)43rd percentile-35 vs school

Asian (2025)33rd percentile-45 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy61%+12 vs state

Mathematics58%+21 vs state

Science40%+7 vs state

★

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Schools Near Turtleback Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)							% Completely Immunized (2022)	% Polio (2022)	% Hepatitis B (2022)	% Varicella (2022)	% DTP (2022)	% MMR (2022)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% DTP KG	% MMR KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Turtleback Elementary	Public	K-5	15855 Turtleback Rd.	San Diego	92127	San Diego County	Poway Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 673-5514	458	23	19.7	21.6%	158 (34.5%)	7 (1.5%)	106 (23.1%)	123 (26.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	63 (13.8%)	76.4	1315^th of 5857 public elementary schools	77.5%		77	1291^st of 5869 public elementary schools	78.0%	24	40.0		40.0	57.1	63.9	62.4				61.1	58.3	60.7	55.3				57.8	94.9	95.9		95.9	94.9	95.9	$16,488	$618	$15,870
Rolling Hills Elementary	Public	K-5	15255 Penasquitos Dr.	San Diego	92129	San Diego County	Poway Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 672-3400	490	24	20.1	13.1%	186 (38.0%)	4 (0.8%)	103 (21.0%)	122 (24.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	74 (15.1%)	95	337^th of 5857 public elementary schools	94.2%		96.3	245^th of 5869 public elementary schools	95.8%	92	84.7		84.7	74.3	69.9	93.1				78.7	75.4	73.8	83.3				77.3							$18,122	$581	$17,541
Highland Ranch Elementary	Public	K-5	14840 Waverley Downs Way	San Diego	92128	San Diego County	Poway Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 674-4707	661	28	23.2	14.7%	194 (29.3%)	17 (2.6%)	102 (15.4%)	263 (39.8%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	81 (12.3%)	85.6	897^th of 5857 public elementary schools	84.7%		86.1	901^st of 5869 public elementary schools	84.6%	4	57.5		57.5	53.9	72.7	76.1				68.0	55.9	73.9	62.8				64.4	98.4		98.4				$15,661	$898	$14,763
Stone Ranch Elementary	Public	K-5	16150 4S Ranch Pkwy.	San Diego	92127	San Diego County	Poway Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 487-8474	692	30	23.2	9.8%	203 (29.3%)	6 (0.9%)	59 (8.5%)	331 (47.8%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	89 (12.9%)	95.8	253^rd of 5857 public elementary schools	95.7%		94.9	351^st of 5869 public elementary schools	94.0%	98	74.1		74.1	67.8	84.8	83.0				78.9	76.9	84.0	79.3				80.1	95.9	96.9	96.9	96.9	95.9	96.9	$16,577	$642	$15,935
Westwood Elementary	Public	K-5	17449 Matinal Rd.	San Diego	92127	San Diego County	Poway Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 487-2026	832	38	22.0	14.2%	336 (40.4%)	9 (1.1%)	129 (15.5%)	254 (30.5%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	101 (12.1%)	94.6	362^nd of 5857 public elementary schools	93.8%		93.9	440^th of 5869 public elementary schools	92.5%	78	66.7		66.7	75.5	77.5	82.7				78.3	79.9	77.5	64.3				74.3	98.3						$16,393	$655	$15,738
Monterey Ridge Elementary	Public	K-5	17117 4S Ranch Pkwy.	San Diego	92127	San Diego County	Poway Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 487-6887	770	31	25.0	15.3%	187 (24.3%)	15 (1.9%)	65 (8.4%)	429 (55.7%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	71 (9.2%)	96.8	172^nd of 5857 public elementary schools	97.1%		96.5	207^th of 5869 public elementary schools	96.5%	35	72.5		72.5	89.8	77.3	82.6				83.0	91.3	79.4	72.5				80.6							$16,373	$802	$15,571
Design 39 Campus	Public	K-8	17050 Del Sur Ridge Rd.	San Diego	92127	San Diego County	Poway Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 676-6639	1,216	52	23.5	6.9%	357 (29.4%)	13 (1.1%)	118 (9.7%)	580 (47.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	146 (12.0%)	97.2	137^th of 5857 public elementary schools	97.7%		96.8	182^nd of 5869 public elementary schools	96.9%	45	75.8	76.0	75.9	79.0	88.9	85.0	82.1	90.8	85.4	85.1	83.9	83.1	76.3	72.9	84.0	77.2	79.4	97.5	97.5	97.5	97.5	97.5	97.5	$14,738	$639	$14,099
Los Penasquitos Elementary	Public	K-5	14125 Cuca St.	San Diego	92129	San Diego County	Poway Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 672-3600	634	28	22.4	37.7%	186 (29.3%)	37 (5.8%)	115 (18.1%)	221 (34.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	72 (11.4%)	91.3	594^th of 5857 public elementary schools	89.9%		91.5	608^th of 5869 public elementary schools	89.6%	14	57.0		57.0	72.7	74.0	80.0				75.1	68.2	68.1	73.4				69.5	96.9	98.4	97.7	97.7	96.9	97.7	$16,501	$1,111	$15,390
Chaparral Elementary	Public	K-5	17250 Tannin Dr.	Poway	92064	San Diego County	Poway Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 485-0042	858	36	23.7	10.3%	422 (49.2%)	8 (0.9%)	116 (13.5%)	201 (23.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	110 (12.8%)	89.9	663^rd of 5857 public elementary schools	88.7%		93.3	485^th of 5869 public elementary schools	91.7%	178	48.6		48.6	78.1	74.8	66.7				73.1	80.5	72.7	63.8				72.1							$15,605	$634	$14,971
Shoal Creek Elementary	Public	K-5	11775 Shoal Creek Dr.	San Diego	92128	San Diego County	Poway Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 613-9080	500	23	22.0	13.8%	172 (34.4%)	8 (1.6%)	76 (15.2%)	163 (32.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	81 (16.2%)	85.3	912^th of 5857 public elementary schools	84.4%		90.3	689^th of 5869 public elementary schools	88.3%	223	57.0		57.0	49.3	74.3	75.9				66.8	64.5	74.3	57.5				64.8	89.9	97.0	97.0	92.9	93.9	95.0	$17,015	$531	$16,484

Frequently Asked Questions about Turtleback Elementary

Is Turtleback Elementary a good school?

Turtleback Elementary ranks 1315^th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Turtleback Elementary?

Students at Turtleback Elementary are 34% White, 27% Asian, 23% Hispanic, 14% Two or more races, 2% African American.

How many students attend Turtleback Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 458 students attended Turtleback Elementary.

What district is Turtleback Elementary in?

Poway Unified

What schools do graduates of Turtleback Elementary attend?

Students who attend Turtleback Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bernardo Heights Middle
High : Rancho Bernardo High

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.