Average
#6899 of 9,533 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
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,201
Student-Teacher
27.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Marcos
#13 of 19
public schools
California high schools
#1,480 of 1,892
In district
#13 of 19
San Marcos Unified
About San Marcos High
San Marcos High serves 3,201 students in grades 9-12 in San Marcos, California, making it one of the larger high schools in San Diego County. With 118 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 27.1:1, reflecting the size and scope of this comprehensive public high school. Academically, San Marcos High is working to strengthen student achievement, with room for growth in core subjects.
Currently, 53% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts, while 30% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. The school ranks in the 43rd percentile among California high schools, indicating ongoing efforts to support student academic development. The school draws from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $107,894 and nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood shows economic stability with a low poverty rate of 8.0% and median home values of $787,600, reflecting the area's desirability and investment in education. Located on San Marcos Boulevard, the school sits in the heart of this large suburban community in North County San Diego, serving families in an area known for its planned neighborhoods and proximity to both educational institutions and employment centers throughout the region.
What's said publicly about San Marcos High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (2)
What Parents Should Know
San Marcos High is a large school with 3,201 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at San Marcos High is 27.1:1, 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
San Marcos High — Students at San Marcos High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
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 6 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: 2.4/10.
How San Marcos High Compares
See how San Marcos High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 29.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 53.21% (2024).
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. Discovery Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is High Tech Middle North County (rated 8.0/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Paloma Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.3 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 | 8.0 |
| High Tech High North County San Diego | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| High Tech Elementary North County San Diego | 0.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Marcos | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| La Mirada Academy San Marcos | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Discovery Elementary San Marcos | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY San Marcos | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary Vista | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| San Elijo Elementary San Marcos | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Carrillo Elementary Carlsbad | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| San Elijo Middle San Marcos | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
| 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 | 5.4 |
| Paloma Elementary San Marcos | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| San Marcos Elementary San Marcos | 2.3 mi | 4.3 |
| North Coastal Consortium Schools San Marcos | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding San Marcos High 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 |
|---|---|
| Adelanto High Adelanto, CA | 5.4 |
| Burbank High Burbank, CA | 5.4 |
| Corona High Corona, CA | 5.4 |
| Highland High Palmdale, CA | 5.4 |
| Simi Valley High Simi Valley, CA | 5.4 |
| Vista del Lago High Moreno Valley, CA | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #6899 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is San Marcos High's MySchoolScout rating?
San Marcos High has a composite rating of 5.4 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, San Marcos High has 34.5% math proficiency and 58.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (760) 290-2200
- 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
- #13 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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.