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Below Average

#7839 of 9,533 schools in CA

San Marcos Senior High

High School · Santa Barbara Unified

4750 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Enrollment

1,943

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Barbara

#28 of 29

public schools

California high schools

#1,663 of 1,892

In district

#17 of 19

Santa Barbara Unified

School environment

7.4 / 10

Strong

About San Marcos Senior High

San Marcos Senior High serves 1,943 students in grades 9-12 in Santa Barbara, California, making it a sizable high school in this mid-size suburban community. With 93 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1, providing a structured learning environment for its large student body. Academically, San Marcos Senior High holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #3661 out of 9566 California high schools, placing it in the 62nd percentile statewide.

The school shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, with 50% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 32% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school draws from a well-educated community where 49% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and families enjoy a median household income of $112,684. The surrounding 93110 zip code area has a relatively low poverty rate of 8.4% and median home values of $953,600, reflecting the affluent nature of this Santa Barbara County neighborhood.

Located on Hollister Avenue, San Marcos Senior High sits in the heart of Santa Barbara's suburban landscape, serving families in one of California's most desirable coastal communities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at San Marcos Senior High is 20.9:1, 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 Progress3.1Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.4%
Math vs. State Avg+4.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.5 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness2.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,366

San Marcos Senior High — Students at San Marcos Senior High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.7%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 55.2%
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
43%
ELA
65%
2024
Math
32.1%
ELA
50.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.

How San Marcos Senior High Compares

See how San Marcos Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in CA
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
93 teachers

Location

4750 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering San Marcos Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BISHOP GARCIA DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Barbara, see our Santa Barbara schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Trivium Charter School Voyage Lompoc 0.4 mi 7.6
Hollister Elementary Santa Barbara 0.6 mi 8.6
El Camino Elementary Santa Barbara 0.6 mi 5.9
Saint Therese Classical Academy Santa Barbara 0.8 mi
Vieja Valley Elementary Santa Barbara 1.0 mi 9.0
Foothill Elementary Santa Barbara 1.2 mi 7.9
Santa Barbara County Special Education Santa Barbara 1.4 mi 7.0
Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court Santa Barbara 1.4 mi 7.8
Santa Barbara County Community Santa Barbara 1.4 mi
Laguna Blanca School Santa Barbara 1.7 mi
LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL Santa Barbara 1.8 mi 5.9
BISHOP GARCIA DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL Santa Barbara 1.8 mi 7.1
Bishop Garcia Diego High School Santa Barbara 1.8 mi
La Colina Junior High Santa Barbara 1.9 mi 7.9
Hope Elementary Santa Barbara 1.9 mi 8.6
Mountain View Elementary Santa Barbara 2.0 mi 9.4
Kellogg Elementary Goleta 2.1 mi 6.6
Monte Vista Elementary Santa Barbara 2.5 mi 8.4
COASTLINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goleta 2.6 mi 6.3
MONTESSORI CENTER SCHOOL Goleta 2.7 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93110 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,819

Median Home Value

$1,101,100

Median Rent

$2,358/mo

Population

16,385

College Educated

48.3%

Homeownership

59.8%

Avg Commute

15.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

46.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding San Marcos Senior High has a median household income of $118,819. 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 $1,101,100, with a median rent of $2,358/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
ARCHBISHOP MITTY HIGH SCHOOL San Jose, CA 4.8
Centennial High Bakersfield, CA 4.8
El Camino Fundamental High Sacramento, CA 4.8
El Capitan High Merced, CA 4.8
Foothill High Sacramento, CA 4.8
Indian Springs High San Bernardino, CA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about San Marcos Senior High

What grades does San Marcos Senior High serve?

San Marcos Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend San Marcos Senior High?

San Marcos Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 1,943 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at San Marcos Senior High?

The student-teacher ratio at San Marcos Senior High is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does San Marcos Senior High rank in CA?

San Marcos Senior High is ranked #7839 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is San Marcos Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?

San Marcos Senior High has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Senior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, San Marcos Senior High has 35.7% math proficiency and 55.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is San Marcos Senior High a charter school?

No, San Marcos Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is San Marcos Senior High a Title I school?

No, San Marcos Senior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for San Marcos Senior High?

57.5% of students at San Marcos Senior 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
65 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
92 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (2,470/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Barbara). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,943
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
93
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Barbara Unified
District Enrollment
12,491
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,094
District Rank
#17 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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