Encinitas: Our History and People

ENICINITAS
UNION SCHOOL
DISTRICT
G
Above: Paul Ecke Central School.
Below: Old school with cistern.
The Encinitas Union School District serves the
city of Encinitas and the Rancho La Costa area of
south Carlsbad in North San Diego County.
Approximately 5,400 students in Kindergarten
through 6th grade are enrolled in the District’s nine
schools. Each of the District’s schools have been
recognized as California Distinguished Schools and
La Costa Heights, Mission Estancia, Olivenhain
Pioneer and Park Dale Lane have been recognized
as National Blue Ribbon Schools. The District
serves a diverse and varied community. The student
population is approximately 22% Hispanic, 4%
Asian, 68% Caucasian, and 6% other minorities.
Back in the days of early Encinitas, settlers
moved in and started raising families. When the
children needed a school, everyone in the
community stepped in to build a school for the
children. This spirit is very much alive today.
Encinitas has not forgotten its very first school.
Our first one room school house is now 113 years
old and has been authentically restored. It was
built in 1883 and was operated by the Encinitas
Union School District, which had formed one
year earlier. The land for the school was donated
by John Pitcher and the school was built by Mr.
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