For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public middle schools serving 6,823 students in Oceanside, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Oceanside, CA are Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School, North Terrace Elementary School and Santa Margarita Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Oceanside, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Oceanside have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Oceanside, CA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
110 Marine Dr.
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 731-4050
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 731-4050
Gr: K-8 | 820 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #22.
North Terrace Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
141 Santa Rosa Dr.
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 901-7500
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 901-7500
Gr: K-8 | 771 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #33.
Santa Margarita Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Carnes Rd.
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 901-7900
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 901-7900
Gr: K-8 | 544 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #44.
Scholarship Prep - Oceanside
Charter School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4070 Mission Ave.
Oceanside, CA 92057
(442) 262-3249
Oceanside, CA 92057
(442) 262-3249
Gr: K-8 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #55.
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1290 Ivey Ranch Rd.
Oceanside, CA 92057
(760) 901-8800
Oceanside, CA 92057
(760) 901-8800
Gr: 6-8 | 1,098 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #66.
Stuart Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Yamanaka Way
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 901-7700
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 901-7700
Gr: K-8 | 549 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #77.
Surfside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1125 South Ditmar St.
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 901-8600
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 901-8600
Gr: K-12 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 39:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #88.
Cesar Chavez Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
202 Oleander Dr.
Oceanside, CA 92057
(760) 966-4900
Oceanside, CA 92057
(760) 966-4900
Gr: 6-8 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #99.
Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2000 California St.
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 901-8900
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 901-8900
Gr: 6-8 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1010.
Pacific View Charter
Charter School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3670 Ocean Ranch Blvd.
Oceanside, CA 92056
(760) 757-0161
Oceanside, CA 92056
(760) 757-0161
Gr: K-12 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1111.
Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
823 Acacia St.
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 966-4700
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 966-4700
Gr: 6-8 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Oceanside, CA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Oceanside, CA include Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School, North Terrace Elementary School and Santa Margarita Elementary School.
How many public middle schools are located in Oceanside?
11 public middle schools are located in Oceanside.
What is the racial composition of students in Oceanside?
Oceanside public middle schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Oceanside are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Oceanside include: Santa Margarita Elementary School vs. North Terrace Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School vs. Lincoln Middle School, North Terrace Elementary School vs. Santa Margarita Elementary School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
