Average
#6124 of 9,539 schools in CA
San Marcos High
High School · San Marcos Unified
1615 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, CA 92078
Enrollment
3,201
Student-Teacher
27.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,201
Student-Teacher
27.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,124 of 9,539
In San Marcos
#12 of 19
public schools
In district
#12 of 19
San Marcos Unified
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San Marcos High
High School in San Marcos · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
High Tech Middle North County
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
High Tech High North County
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About San Marcos High
San Marcos High is a public high school in San Marcos, CA, part of San Marcos Unified. San Marcos High serves approximately 3,201 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 27.1:1 student-teacher ratio. San Marcos High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #6,124 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for San Marcos High show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
What's said publicly about San Marcos High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (2)
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 5.6
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
San Marcos High is a large school: 3,201 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.
San Marcos High runs 27.1:1 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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San Marcos High — Students at San Marcos High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 26 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: 4.0/10.
How San Marcos High Compares
See how San Marcos High 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
1615 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, CA 92078
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering San Marcos High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. High Tech High North County (rated 8.5/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is High Tech Middle North County (rated 8.4/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Discovery Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 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 |
|---|---|---|
| High Tech Middle North County San Diego | 0.3 mi | 8.4 |
| High Tech High North County San Diego | 0.3 mi | 8.5 |
| High Tech Elementary North County San Diego | 0.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Marcos | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| La Mirada Academy San Marcos | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Discovery Elementary San Marcos | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY San Marcos | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary Vista | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| San Elijo Elementary San Marcos | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Carrillo Elementary Carlsbad | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| San Elijo Middle San Marcos | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Sanderling Waldorf School Vista | 2.0 mi | — |
| Kid's Town Montessori School Vista | 2.3 mi | — |
| KIDS TOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Vista | 2.3 mi | 7.2 |
| San Marcos Middle San Marcos | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Paloma Elementary San Marcos | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| San Marcos Elementary San Marcos | 2.3 mi | 4.2 |
| North Coastal Consortium Schools San Marcos | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Pacific Ridge School Carlsbad | 2.6 mi | — |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Bakersfield High Bakersfield, CA | 5.7 |
| John W. North High Riverside, CA | 5.7 |
| Ramona High Riverside, CA | 5.7 |
| San Jacinto High San Jacinto, CA | 5.7 |
| Burbank High Burbank, CA | 5.8 |
| Desert Mirage High Thermal, CA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about San Marcos High
What grades does San Marcos High serve?
San Marcos High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend San Marcos High?
San Marcos High has an enrollment of approximately 3,201 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at San Marcos High?
The student-teacher ratio at San Marcos High is 27.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does San Marcos High rank in CA?
San Marcos High ranks #6,124 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is San Marcos High's MySchoolScout rating?
San Marcos High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 San Marcos High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, San Marcos High has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is San Marcos High a charter school?
No, San Marcos High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is San Marcos High a Title I school?
No, San Marcos High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for San Marcos High?
32.6% of students at San Marcos 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 3,201
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 118
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.4%
- Phone
- (760) 290-2200
- 4-Year Graduation
- 96.0%
Resources & Links
District
San Marcos Unified- District Enrollment
- 19,374
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,639
- District Rank
- #12 of 19
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
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