Carlsbad is a community with near-perfect weather and two world-class resorts. It supports economic development yet sets aside 40 percent of its land for open space. It has attracted an international theme park and has become the golf capital of the world. Carlsbad has a commuter train, great bus service and the busiest single-runway airport in the nation. A great place to live, with miles of beaches, a wide variety of housing options, terrific shopping, a world-class public library and excellent schools.

Where else but Carlsbad, California? Fortune Magazine rated Carlsbad as one of the nation's five best places to retire. "An affordable Southern California dream lifestyle is still available in about one place: Carlsbad," the magazine boasted in August, 1997. Fortune pointed out that our community has ample open space, a low crime rate, a near-perfect climate, smog-free ocean breezes, and is not in an earthquake fault zone. In 1999, Where to Retire Magazine rated Carlsbad among the best retirement towns in Southern California.
Carlsbad's population has grown considerably as more and more people become acquainted with the area. In fact, the population has increased five-fold since 1960, but the city's award-winning Growth Management Plan ensures that the city retains its small-town charm. Despite Fortune calling us a retirement haven, Carlsbad has a relatively young population, with a median age of 32, and 78 percent of residents under age 55.

Carlsbad boasts a variety of recreational and cultural events. The Carlsbad Chamber sponsors the Carlsbad Village Faire, featuring more than 900 exhibitors twice a year on the first Sunday of May and November. Recognized as the largest one-day street fair in the Country, it draws crowds from miles around, showcasing the historic Carlsbad Village.

The city's famed Flower Fields draw 200,000 visitors from Southern California and beyond each March and April when more than 50 acres of brightly colored ranunculus burst into bloom.

Carlsbad is fortunate to boast more than seven miles of beautiful, clean beaches, more than 150 acres of parks, summer Jazz in the Park concerts, picnic facilities and play areas, three community centers and three championship golf courses. Another golf course, owned by the city, is scheduled to open within the next few years.

A combined effort of the city of Carlsbad and local volunteers is the Carlsbad Trails Project, which could ultimately result in a 60-mile trail system winding throughout the city. The first portion of the project, a trail through Hosp Grove, is pictured at right. The first loop of this trail was finished in 1999, spearheaded by Chamber's Chairman Gary Hill. Additional trail segments have since been added; work continues and volunteer help will be needed. For a map, details and pictures check the Carlsbad Trails Project Website.

Long enjoyed by visitors from the Southwest, Carlsbad is becoming a world-class tourism destination. The internationally renowned La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad features two 18-hole professional golf courses, several restaurants, tennis courts and a spa that attract visitors year-round. In 1997, another world-class resort, the Four Seasons Resort Aviara, opened to critical raves on the shores of Batiquitos Lagoon. Aviara's beautiful golf course was designed by golf pro Arnold Palmer.

Carlsbad is host to major sporting events such as the Carlsbad 5000 and the Carlsbad Triathlon for runners, plus the PGA and Andersen Consulting Golf Championships and Acura Tennis Classic at La Costa Resort & Spa.

Schools

Carlsbad Unified students get high scores again
By: TIM MAYER
(Article courtesy of North County Times, 8/02)

CARLSBAD ---- Test scores released this week by state and county officials show Carlsbad Unified School District is continuing to surpass both county and statewide averages.

Results of the national Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition, which was administered in the spring, show 79 percent of Carlsbad's students scored at or above the 50th percentile in math. The 50th percentile is considered average nationwide for the test, which is also known as the SAT-9.

Seventy percent of Carlsbad students also met or exceeded the national average in reading, 75 percent in language, 70 percent in spelling, 67 percent in social science, and 63 percent in science.

While there was some fluctuation up and down in results when compared grade-to-grade and school-to-school from the 2001 test results, overall averages were virtually identical in 2002, with some small increases.

That lack of a sharp increase in overall test scores is in contrast to previous years in which Carlsbad Unified showed major gains in the SAT-9. The test, administered since 1998, is a standardized math and English exam mandatory for all second- through 11th-grade students and is designed to measure student achievement against national averages.

Carlsbad district officials said they are happy with the results.

"We are showing steady improvement throughout the district," said Superintendent Cheryl Ernst.

Assistant Superintendent Susan-Harumi Bentley said "if you see everything pretty much the same from year to year, you know you are maintaining. We don't have any drastic drops or drastic increases, which is good. It shows our district is stabilizing at a very high level."

"This is showing systemic strength," she said. "Every grade level is pulling its weight." Carlsbad Unified scores far exceeded state as well as county averages.

Statewide, schools met or exceeded the 50th percentile norm at a rate of from the mid-30 percent range to just above 60 percent depending on grade level and test.

Countywide, schools met or topped the 50th percentile mark by 51 percent in reading, 60 percent in math, 59 percent in language, 55 percent in spelling, 47 percent in science, and 52 percent in social science.

But Carlsbad Unified officials said what is more important are the results of the new standardized state tests that are being phased in to replace the SAT-9. Unlike the SAT-9, which uses a nationwide scale, the state tests are based on what California schools are actually required to teach and what students are expected to learn.

Valley Middle School Principal Kim Marshall said "our (SAT-9) test scores are very, very strong. There are a couple of little areas where we fell a little, but that's the SAT-9. The California state