Encinitas Country Day School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (26-27)

Top Ranked CA School
Grades: Prekindergarten-8
Enrollment: 323 students
Average class size: 16 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Encinitas Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-8

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Encinitas Country Day School
Nursery	12
Kind	56
1	41
2	40
3	42
4	24
5	32
6	26
7	18
8	32

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Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

mild learning differences

Year Founded

1988

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Campus Size

12 acres

School Motto

Ad Vitam Paramus

Student Body

Total Students

323 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

20%

State avg.: 52%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

34 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

10:1

National avg.: 11:1

Average Class Size

16 students

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

burgundy, navy & khaki

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) (ACS WASC)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Tuition Notes

Tuition varies for primary, kindergarten, elementary and middle school programs

Admissions Director

Kathleen Porterfield

Admissions Associate

Jeffrey Peterson

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

Total Sports Offered

7 sports

Sports

BasketballCross Country

DanceFlag Football

SoccerTrack and Field

Volleyball

School Mascot

Red-tailed Hawk

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

7 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Chess ClubDance Club

Middle School TutorialsMusic 'n Motion

Sports ClubSports League

The Actor's Studio

School Notes

Now celebrating 37 years of educational excellence, Encinitas Country Day School (ECDS) blends Montessori, traditional, and 21st-century instructional methods to cultivate students of scholarship, integrity, and service.
Serving children from age 2 through 8th grade across two beautiful campuses, ECDS offers low student-to-teacher ratios that support scalable Math and Language Arts instruction and dynamic, project-based learning in Science and Social Studies. Citizenship and character development are woven into the curriculum as a fifth core subject, ensuring students grow academically and personally.
The ECDS TK-8 grade elementary and middle school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (W.A.S.C.).
Kindergarten through 5th-grade students enjoy at least one enrichment class per school day, including music, drama, visual arts, physical education, and conversational Spanish. The weekly 6th 8th grade afternoon schedule includes music, art studio, digital photography, Taekwondo, and physical education, with engaging and enriching Spanish classes three times per week.

On-site Library and two full-time Librarians
Digital Technology lab and Instruction
Science Lab and on-campus Conservation Area
Visual and Performing Arts, classrooms, studio, amphitheater and instruction
Playing fields, Basketball and Volleyball courts, and 1/8 mile running track for Physical Education, as well as intramural, and league sports.
Certificated faculty for academic support at all levels
High academic standards
Support for learning differences
Standardized Testing
After school and summer classes, programs and camps
Individual, team and league sports
Active and welcoming parent-teacher organization
Involved students who love to learn

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Encinitas Country Day School offer a summer program?

Yes, Encinitas Country Day School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Encinitas Country Day School offer?

Encinitas Country Day School offers 7 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Flag Football, Soccer, Track and Field and Volleyball.

What is Encinitas Country Day School's ranking?

Encinitas Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Largest student body.

When is the application deadline for Encinitas Country Day School?

The application deadline for Encinitas Country Day School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Encinitas, CA is $22,240 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).