Average
#7082 of 9,533 schools in CA
Foothills High
High School · San Marcos Unified
158 Cassou Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069
Enrollment
110
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
110
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Marcos
#16 of 19
public schools
California high schools
#1,513 of 1,892
In district
#16 of 19
San Marcos Unified
About Foothills High
Foothills High is an alternative high school located in San Marcos, California. With a student body of just 110 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 22:1, the school provides a more personalized educational environment compared to larger institutions. Foothills High offers grades 9 through 12, focusing on supporting individual learning needs with five full-time equivalent teachers.
The school is situated in a large suburban area near Cassou Road. While Foothills High's MySchoolScout Rating of 3.4 out of 10 and its state ranking at #8029 out of 9566 schools suggest there’s room for academic growth, the school is committed to fostering student development and offering tailored educational programs. Test scores indicate that 43% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while only 9% meet proficiency standards in math.
Foothills High serves a diverse community in San Marcos, providing an alternative pathway for high school education.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 110 students, Foothills High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Foothills High is 22:1, 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Foothills High — Students at Foothills High score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.6/10.
How Foothills High Compares
See how Foothills High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 8.16% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 36.73% (2024).
Location
158 Cassou Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Foothills High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mission Hills High (rated 6.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Twin Oaks High (rated 5.8/10), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in San Marcos, see our San Marcos schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Twin Oaks High San Marcos | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Twin Oaks Elementary San Marcos | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Richland Elementary San Marcos | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Paloma Elementary San Marcos | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| San Marcos Middle San Marcos | 2.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Mission Hills High San Marcos | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| North Coastal Consortium Schools San Marcos | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| San Marcos Elementary San Marcos | 2.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Woodland Park Middle San Marcos | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego San Marcos | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Rancho Minerva Middle Vista | 3.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Monte Vista Elementary Vista | 3.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Knob Hill Elementary San Marcos | 3.6 mi | 6.3 |
| La Mirada Academy San Marcos | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY San Marcos | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Hannalei Elementary Vista | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary Vista | 3.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Discovery Elementary San Marcos | 4.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Dual Language Immersion North County Vista | 3.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Classical Academy Vista Vista | 3.6 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92069 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,065
Median Home Value
$714,700
Median Rent
$2,078/mo
Population
46,825
College Educated
34.9%
Homeownership
55.8%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Foothills High has a median household income of $93,065. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $714,700, with a median rent of $2,078/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Audeo Charter School III San Diego, CA | 5.3 |
| Conejo Valley High (Continuation) Thousand Oaks, CA | 5.3 |
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz, CA | 5.3 |
| El Camino Real Continuation High Placentia, CA | 5.3 |
| Harris Newmark Continuation Los Angeles, CA | 5.3 |
| Hillside High Upland, CA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Foothills High
What grades does Foothills High serve?
Foothills High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Foothills High?
Foothills High has an enrollment of approximately 110 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Foothills High?
The student-teacher ratio at Foothills High is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Foothills High rank in CA?
Foothills High is ranked #7082 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Foothills High's MySchoolScout rating?
Foothills High has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Foothills High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foothills High has 8.7% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Foothills High a charter school?
No, Foothills High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Foothills High a Title I school?
No, Foothills High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foothills High?
50.0% of students at Foothills High 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (890/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Marcos). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 110
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (760) 290-2544
- 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
- #16 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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