Below Average
#8619 of 9,533 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
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Marcos
#18 of 19
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,135 of 5,817
In district
#17 of 19
San Marcos Unified
About San Marcos Elementary
San Marcos Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in San Marcos, California. With an enrollment of 599 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s setting is in a large suburban area, offering easy access to local parks, shops, and community centers.
San Marcos Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade students and focuses on fostering a strong foundation for academic growth and development. While the MySchoolScout rating of 2.9/10 indicates room for improvement, the school continues to work diligently with its dedicated staff to enhance student performance in core subjects like ELA and math. Currently, about 27% of students are proficient or above in reading and 25% in math.
San Marcos Elementary is situated in a bustling suburban community that offers families numerous amenities and recreational activities nearby.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at San Marcos Elementary is 21.4:1, 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
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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 10 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: 3.3/10.
How San Marcos Elementary Compares
See how San Marcos Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 22.22% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 24.17% (2024).
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 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Paloma Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 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 | 6.9 |
| San Marcos Middle San Marcos | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego San Marcos | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Mission Hills High San Marcos | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Paloma Elementary San Marcos | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Discovery Elementary San Marcos | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Richland Elementary San Marcos | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| High Tech Middle North County San Diego | 2.1 mi | 8.0 |
| High Tech High North County San Diego | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Double Peak San Marcos | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY San Marcos | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Twin Oaks Elementary San Marcos | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Woodland Park Middle San Marcos | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| San Marcos High San Marcos | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Foothills High San Marcos | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Twin Oaks High San Marcos | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
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 San Marcos Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Alta Loma Elementary Alta Loma, CA | 4.3 |
| Apricot Valley Elementary Patterson, CA | 4.3 |
| Bobbie Smith Elementary Long Beach, CA | 4.3 |
| Calpella Elementary Ukiah, CA | 4.3 |
| Carrillo Elementary Carlsbad, CA | 4.3 |
| Cawston Elementary Hemet, CA | 4.3 |
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 is ranked #8619 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is San Marcos Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
San Marcos Elementary 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 Marcos Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, San Marcos Elementary has 25.1% math proficiency and 26.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (760) 290-2430
- 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
- #17 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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- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
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