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#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

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

Sources: School's website Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

San Marcos High School is a public high school located in Goleta, California, approximately two miles from Santa Barbara 2 . The institution is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges 2 . It has received multiple recognitions for its educational standards, including being named a California Distinguished School in 1994 and 2005 2 . Additionally, the school was designated as a Gold Ribbon School in 2015 2 . The school operates within the broader context of the San Marcos Unified School District, which serves over 18,000 students across 19 schools 1 .
Sources (2)
  1. www.smusd.org
  2. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

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 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.2%
Math vs. State Avg+1.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.7 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation42%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,981

San Marcos High — Students at San Marcos High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 58.8%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 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
44%
ELA
70%
2024
Math
29.7%
ELA
53.2%

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.

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in CA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
118 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
79 Very Walkable
Bike Score
46 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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Marcos Unified
District Enrollment
19,374
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,639
District Rank
#13 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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