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Very Good

#2179 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 23% in state

Paloma Elementary

Elementary School · San Marcos Unified

660 Camino Magnifico, San Marcos, CA 92069

Enrollment

742

Student-Teacher

26.5:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#2,179 of 9,539

In San Marcos

#3 of 19

public schools

In district

#3 of 19

San Marcos Unified

Equity

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Paloma Elementary

7.7/10

Elementary School in San Marcos · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

San Marcos Middle

6.2/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

La Mirada Academy

4.9/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Paloma Elementary

Paloma Elementary is a public elementary school in San Marcos, CA, part of San Marcos Unified. Paloma Elementary serves approximately 742 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 26.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Paloma Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,179 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Paloma Elementary show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Paloma Elementary runs 26.5:1 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 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+30.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+30.8 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+17.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,639
Chronic Absenteeism15.9%

Paloma Elementary — Students at Paloma Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 73.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 74.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
84%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
60%
ELA
69%
2015
Math
64%
ELA
71%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
63%
ELA
71%
2018
Math
70%
ELA
79%
2019
Math
70%
ELA
79%
2022
Math
70.3%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
76.5%
ELA
73.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.

How Paloma Elementary Compares

See how Paloma Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
77th percentile in CA
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

660 Camino Magnifico, San Marcos, CA 92069

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paloma Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dual Language Immersion North County (rated 8.8/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Vista), which scores notably higher. Another option is Discovery Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, KIDS TOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 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 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
San Marcos Middle San Marcos 1.1 mi 6.2
La Mirada Academy San Marcos 1.5 mi 4.9
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY San Marcos 1.4 mi 6.0
San Marcos Elementary San Marcos 1.6 mi 4.2
Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary Vista 1.5 mi 5.5
North Coastal Consortium Schools San Marcos 1.7 mi 5.8
High Tech Elementary North County San Diego 2.0 mi 3.1
High Tech Middle North County San Diego 2.1 mi 8.4
High Tech High North County San Diego 2.1 mi 8.5
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Marcos 2.2 mi 4.9
Discovery Elementary San Marcos 2.2 mi 8.3
Foothills High San Marcos 2.1 mi 5.8
Twin Oaks High San Marcos 2.1 mi 5.6
Kid's Town Montessori School Vista 2.0 mi
Twin Oaks Elementary San Marcos 2.1 mi 4.5
KIDS TOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Vista 2.0 mi 7.2
San Marcos High San Marcos 2.3 mi 5.7
Hannalei Elementary Vista 2.2 mi 5.1
Dual Language Immersion North County Vista 2.2 mi 8.8
Classical Academy Vista Vista 2.2 mi 7.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Akira Yokomi Elementary Fresno, CA 7.7
Beechwood Elementary Fullerton, CA 7.7
Benchley/Weinberger Elementary San Diego, CA 7.7
Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria, CA 7.7
Bowman Charter Auburn, CA 7.7
Bud Rank Elementary Clovis, CA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paloma Elementary

What grades does Paloma Elementary serve?

Paloma Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Paloma Elementary?

Paloma Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 742 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paloma Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Paloma Elementary is 26.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paloma Elementary rank in CA?

Paloma Elementary ranks #2,179 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Paloma Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Paloma Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Paloma Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Paloma Elementary has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Paloma Elementary a charter school?

No, Paloma Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paloma Elementary a Title I school?

No, Paloma Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paloma Elementary?

30.2% of students at Paloma 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
742
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.9%

District

San Marcos Unified
District Enrollment
19,374
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,639
District Rank
#3 of 19

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