Excellent
#1146 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 12% in state
Discovery Elementary
Elementary School · San Marcos Unified
730 Applewilde Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078
Enrollment
687
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
687
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,146 of 9,539
In San Marcos
#1 of 19
public schools
In district
#1 of 19
San Marcos Unified
Equity
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Discovery Elementary
Elementary School in San Marcos · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Valley Christian School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
High Tech Middle North County
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Discovery Elementary
Discovery Elementary is a public elementary school in San Marcos, CA, part of San Marcos Unified. Discovery Elementary serves approximately 687 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,146 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Discovery Elementary show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 6.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Discovery Elementary runs 22.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Discovery Elementary — Students at Discovery Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.
How Discovery Elementary Compares
See how Discovery Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
730 Applewilde Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Discovery Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego (rated 8.1/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Paloma Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Double Peak (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Marcos, see our San Marcos schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Marcos | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| High Tech Middle North County San Diego | 0.7 mi | 8.4 |
| High Tech High North County San Diego | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| High Tech Elementary North County San Diego | 0.8 mi | 3.1 |
| San Marcos High San Marcos | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| La Mirada Academy San Marcos | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY San Marcos | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| San Marcos Middle San Marcos | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| San Marcos Elementary San Marcos | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| San Elijo Elementary San Marcos | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| North Coastal Consortium Schools San Marcos | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| San Elijo Middle San Marcos | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Paloma Elementary San Marcos | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Double Peak San Marcos | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary Vista | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego San Marcos | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Kid's Town Montessori School Vista | 2.9 mi | — |
| KIDS TOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Vista | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Carrillo Elementary Carlsbad | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92078 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$114,905
Median Home Value
$874,000
Median Rent
$2,468/mo
Population
53,542
College Educated
48.3%
Homeownership
71.3%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
38.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Santa Barbara, CA | 8.3 |
| Alta Vista Elementary Redondo Beach, CA | 8.3 |
| Altamont Creek Elementary Livermore, CA | 8.3 |
| Alvarado Elementary San Francisco, CA | 8.3 |
| Anthony G. Bacich Elementary Kentfield, CA | 8.3 |
| Arroyo Vista Elementary South Pasadena, CA | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Discovery Elementary
What grades does Discovery Elementary serve?
Discovery Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Discovery Elementary?
Discovery Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 687 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Elementary is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Discovery Elementary rank in CA?
Discovery Elementary ranks #1,146 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Discovery Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Discovery Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Discovery Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery Elementary has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Discovery Elementary a charter school?
No, Discovery Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Discovery Elementary a Title I school?
No, Discovery Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery Elementary?
19.9% of students at Discovery Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 687
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.5%
- Phone
- (760) 290-2077
Resources & Links
District
San Marcos Unified- District Enrollment
- 19,374
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,639
- District Rank
- #1 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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