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
Enrollment
1,943
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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San Marcos Senior High — Students at San Marcos Senior High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
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: 3.1/10.
How San Marcos Senior High Compares
See how San Marcos Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 32.12% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 50.37% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (805) 967-4581
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Barbara Unified- District Enrollment
- 12,491
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,094
- 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.
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