SPOTLIGHT: In Carlsbad, Education Empowers Preschoolers to Professionals

Philosopher Herbert Spencer said, “the great aim of education is not knowledge but action.”

That’s a profound sentiment, and it rings particularly true in Carlsbad—a city that exemplifies a ‘Life In Action®’ on all fronts, including education at every stage.

Carlsbad children are empowered early on at some of California’s (and the nation’s) best public schools. In fact, four school districts provide K-12 education in Carlsbad, and all of them are in the top 15 percent in the state. There’s also nearly a dozen private schools in the city, which give students, and budding future game-changers, a full spectrum of educational journeys.  

“Childhood education truly can set into motion a lifelong passion for learning, and here in Carlsbad, we’re lucky to have so many excellent options,” said Community & Economic Development Director Glen Van Peski.

Anyone who wants to pursue a higher education will find plenty of opportunity at the many nearby colleges and universities like UC San Diego which ranked number one in the nation according to Washington Monthly for the sixth year in a row. UC San Diego also holds the title of the world’s 14th best university for the fourth consecutive year according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Other nearby universities include Cal State University San Marcos, San Diego State University and the University of San Diego. Carlsbad is also home to the MiraCosta Community College Technology Career Institute, which provides students and incumbent workers with pathways to success in Carlsbad’s high-paying, world-changing industries. Together, these institutions receive billions of dollars in grants and funded research every year, and they serve as the backbone for the local tech and life sciences industries—which are especially booming in Carlsbad.

With all this in mind, Carlsbad is taking action to bring higher education to the city—largely so it can serve the needs of the local business community. In 2012 Carlsbad City Council embarked upon the higher education initiative and ultimately agreed that it would be best for an institution to operate in the center of the business hub. This way, the nearby workforce could easily access it to advance their industries and professional development.

“This is one of the many ways we’re raising the bar when it comes to meeting the needs of our local workforce,” said Van Peski. “We realize if we give them the tools they need to reach new heights, it will benefit Carlsbad as a whole.”

Of course, education can and should happen outside of a formal setting—and in Carlsbad, you’ll see it happening every day at the many libraries and museums. Carlsbad is proud to offer its own library system, which features a wealth of resources and programs for knowledge-seekers of all sorts. The steady stream of exhibitions and shows at all the local museums also provide opportunities for growth and enrich the local quality of life greatly.

To stay up to date on all of Carlsbad’s business-related happenings, check the news page on the city’s economic development page—or better yet, subscribe to its newsfeed.