Below Average
#8377 of 9,539 schools in CA
San Marcos Elementary
Elementary School · San Marcos Unified
1 Tiger Way, San Marcos, CA 92069
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,377 of 9,539
In San Marcos
#19 of 19
public schools
In district
#19 of 19
San Marcos Unified
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San Marcos Elementary
Elementary School in San Marcos · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North Coastal Consortium Schools
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
San Marcos Middle
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About San Marcos Elementary
San Marcos Elementary is a public elementary school in San Marcos, CA, part of San Marcos Unified. San Marcos Elementary serves approximately 599 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. San Marcos Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #8,377 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for San Marcos Elementary show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 6.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
San Marcos Elementary runs 21.4:1 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.
33% of students at San Marcos Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
San Marcos Elementary — Students at San Marcos Elementary score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.6/10.
How San Marcos Elementary Compares
See how San Marcos 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
1 Tiger Way, San Marcos, CA 92069
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering San Marcos Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Discovery Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Paloma Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Marcos, see our San Marcos schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Coastal Consortium Schools San Marcos | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| San Marcos Middle San Marcos | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego San Marcos | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Mission Hills High San Marcos | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Paloma Elementary San Marcos | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Discovery Elementary San Marcos | 1.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Richland Elementary San Marcos | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Marcos | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| High Tech Elementary North County San Diego | 2.0 mi | 3.1 |
| La Mirada Academy San Marcos | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| High Tech Middle North County San Diego | 2.1 mi | 8.4 |
| High Tech High North County San Diego | 2.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Double Peak San Marcos | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY San Marcos | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Twin Oaks Elementary San Marcos | 2.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Woodland Park Middle San Marcos | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| San Marcos High San Marcos | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Foothills High San Marcos | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Twin Oaks High San Marcos | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Alice Birney Elementary Colton, CA | 4.2 |
| Allen at Steinbeck San Jose, CA | 4.2 |
| Alpine Elementary Littlerock, CA | 4.2 |
| Amy B. Seibert Elementary Bakersfield, CA | 4.2 |
| Bahia Vista Elementary San Rafael, CA | 4.2 |
| Bay View Academy Monterey, CA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about San Marcos Elementary
What grades does San Marcos Elementary serve?
San Marcos Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend San Marcos Elementary?
San Marcos Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 599 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at San Marcos Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at San Marcos Elementary is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does San Marcos Elementary rank in CA?
San Marcos Elementary ranks #8,377 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is San Marcos Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
San Marcos Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 San Marcos Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, San Marcos Elementary has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is San Marcos Elementary a charter school?
No, San Marcos Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is San Marcos Elementary a Title I school?
No, San Marcos Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for San Marcos Elementary?
80.6% of students at San Marcos 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
- 599
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.2%
- Phone
- (760) 290-2430
Resources & Links
District
San Marcos Unified- District Enrollment
- 19,374
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,639
- District Rank
- #19 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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