Excellent
#1100 of 9,533 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
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
687
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Marcos
#1 of 19
public schools
California elementary schools
#795 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 19
San Marcos Unified
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Discovery Elementary
Discovery Elementary is a public elementary school in San Marcos, CA, part of the San Marcos Unified. The school serves approximately 687 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 22.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.5th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 74% proficiency in math, 35 points above the state average and 75% in reading/language arts, 29 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $114,905, where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Elementary is 22.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Discovery Elementary — Students at Discovery Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
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 10 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: 8.6/10.
How Discovery Elementary Compares
See how Discovery Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 66% (2019) to 76.49% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 73.21% (2024).
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. Paloma Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego (rated 7.5/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, KIDS TOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Vista), with a comparable rating. 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 | 8.0 |
| High Tech High North County San Diego | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| High Tech Elementary North County San Diego | 0.8 mi | 3.1 |
| San Marcos High San Marcos | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| La Mirada Academy San Marcos | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY San Marcos | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| San Marcos Middle San Marcos | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| San Marcos Elementary San Marcos | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
| San Elijo Elementary San Marcos | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| North Coastal Consortium Schools San Marcos | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| San Elijo Middle San Marcos | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Paloma Elementary San Marcos | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Double Peak San Marcos | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary Vista | 2.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego San Marcos | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 | 4.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Discovery Elementary has a median household income of $114,905. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $874,000, with a median rent of $2,468/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alta California Elementary Panorama City, CA | 8.2 |
| Berlyn Elementary Ontario, CA | 8.2 |
| Bollinger Canyon Elementary San Ramon, CA | 8.2 |
| Bonita Canyon Elementary Irvine, CA | 8.2 |
| Buford Elementary Lennox, CA | 8.2 |
| Canyon Vista Elementary Aliso Viejo, CA | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #1100 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Discovery Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Discovery Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Discovery Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Discovery Elementary has 74.2% math proficiency and 74.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Marcos). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 290-2077
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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