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Below Average

#8621 of 9,533 schools in CA

San Elijo Middle

Middle School · San Marcos Unified

1600 Schoolhouse Way, San Marcos, CA 92078

Enrollment

1,482

Student-Teacher

26.9:1

Score

4.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Marcos

#19 of 19

public schools

California middle schools

#1,259 of 1,349

In district

#19 of 19

San Marcos Unified

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About San Elijo Middle

San Elijo Middle School serves 1,482 students in grades 6-8 in San Marcos, California, operating as a regular public school in the heart of San Diego County. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26.9:1, which is typical for many California middle schools. Academically, San Elijo Middle demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks in the 67th percentile among California's middle schools at #3120 out of 9566 schools statewide.

The school's academic score of 8.2 out of 10 reflects strong educational outcomes, with 65% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading across all grades. In mathematics, 50% of students achieve proficiency or above, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. The school draws from a well-educated community where 48% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $107,894.

With a low poverty rate of 8.0% and median home values of $787,600, the surrounding ZIP code 92078 reflects an affluent suburban environment. San Elijo Middle School is situated in this large suburban setting, serving families in an established San Marcos neighborhood that values educational achievement.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at San Elijo Middle is 26.9:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.3%
Math vs. State Avg+15.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,981

San Elijo Middle — Students at San Elijo Middle score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.3%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 67.9%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
63%
ELA
78%
2024
Math
49.6%
ELA
65.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.

How San Elijo Middle Compares

See how San Elijo Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in CA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

1600 Schoolhouse Way, San Marcos, CA 92078

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering San Elijo Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. High Tech Middle North County (rated 8.0/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, San Marcos Middle (rated 5.4/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Marcos, see our San Marcos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
San Elijo Elementary San Marcos 0.1 mi 6.9
Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos 1.9 mi 5.0
Discovery Elementary San Marcos 2.0 mi 8.2
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Marcos 2.2 mi 4.9
Double Peak San Marcos 1.9 mi 6.4
San Marcos High San Marcos 2.2 mi 5.4
High Tech Middle North County San Diego 2.3 mi 8.0
High Tech High North County San Diego 2.3 mi 6.9
High Tech Elementary North County San Diego 2.4 mi 3.1
La Costa Canyon High Encinitas 2.5 mi 7.2
La Costa Meadows Elementary Carlsbad 2.6 mi 7.9
La Mirada Academy San Marcos 3.1 mi 6.0
Carrillo Elementary Carlsbad 2.8 mi 4.3
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY San Marcos 3.4 mi 6.0
La Costa Heights Elementary Carlsbad 3.0 mi 7.7
Mission Estancia Elementary Carlsbad 3.1 mi 6.3
San Marcos Elementary San Marcos 3.4 mi 4.3
San Marcos Middle San Marcos 3.6 mi 5.4
North Coastal Consortium Schools San Marcos 3.5 mi 6.9
Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary Carlsbad 3.5 mi 8.2

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 San Elijo Middle 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
Fesler (Isaac) Junior High Santa Maria, CA 4.4
Park View Middle Yucaipa, CA 4.4
Valley View Middle Simi Valley, CA 4.4
American Canyon Middle American Canyon, CA 4.1
Monte Vista Middle San Jacinto, CA 4.1
Tomas Rivera Middle Perris, CA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about San Elijo Middle

What grades does San Elijo Middle serve?

San Elijo Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend San Elijo Middle?

San Elijo Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,482 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at San Elijo Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at San Elijo Middle is 26.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does San Elijo Middle rank in CA?

San Elijo Middle is ranked #8621 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is San Elijo Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

San Elijo Middle has a composite rating of 4.3 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 San Elijo Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, San Elijo Middle has 52.3% math proficiency and 67.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is San Elijo Middle a charter school?

No, San Elijo Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is San Elijo Middle a Title I school?

No, San Elijo Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for San Elijo Middle?

18.2% of students at San Elijo Middle 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
64 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (890/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Marcos). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,482
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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