Very Good
#1544 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 16% in state
San Marin High
High School · Novato Unified
15 San Marin Dr., Novato, CA 94945
Enrollment
1,186
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,186
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Novato
#4 of 15
public schools
California high schools
#263 of 1,892
In district
#4 of 14
Novato Unified
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About San Marin High
San Marin High serves 1,186 students in grades 9-12 in Novato, a well-established community in Marin County. With 56 full-time teachers maintaining a 21.2:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides a solid educational foundation that has earned it recognition as one of California's stronger performing high schools. The school ranks in the 75th percentile statewide, placing #2,380 among California's 9,566 schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10.
Students demonstrate particularly strong performance in English Language Arts, with 66% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance shows room for growth, with 40% of students meeting proficiency standards, presenting opportunities for continued academic development in STEM areas. San Marin High draws from a community where 53% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the area's emphasis on education.
The surrounding neighborhood maintains a median household income of $115,000 and a low poverty rate of 6.7%, indicating a stable, resource-rich environment that supports student learning. Located on San Marin Drive in Novato's large suburban setting, the school serves families in an affluent Marin County community known for its commitment to education and family-oriented atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at San Marin High is 21.2:1, 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 Marin High — Students at San Marin High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.
How San Marin High Compares
See how San Marin High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 40% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 60% (2019) to 65.58% (2024).
Location
15 San Marin Dr., Novato, CA 94945
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering San Marin High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Novato High (rated 6.3/10, 2.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Marin Oaks High (rated 5.4/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Novato, see our Novato schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| San Ramon Elementary Novato | 0.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary Novato | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Sinaloa Middle Novato | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Lu Sutton Elementary Novato | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Marin Oaks High Novato | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Nova Education Center Novato | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Rancho Elementary Novato | 2.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Novato High Novato | 2.9 mi | 6.3 |
| NORTH BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Novato | 3.0 mi | — |
| Marin Christian Academy North Campus Novato | 3.0 mi | — |
| Olive Elementary Novato | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Marin Christian Academy Main Campus Novato | 3.3 mi | — |
| Lynwood Elementary Novato | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| San Jose Middle Novato | 3.7 mi | 5.2 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Novato | 3.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Loma Verde Elementary Novato | 5.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Lucas Valley Elementary San Rafael | 6.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Marin County Juvenile Court San Rafael | 6.7 mi | — |
| Grant Elementary Petaluma | 7.1 mi | 6.7 |
| SAN DOMENICO SCHOOL San Anselmo | 7.1 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94945 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$109,750
Median Home Value
$1,094,300
Median Rent
$2,168/mo
Population
17,280
College Educated
51.7%
Homeownership
71.5%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
51.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding San Marin High has a median household income of $109,750. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,094,300, with a median rent of $2,168/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Anderson W. Clark Magnet High La Crescenta, CA | 7.9 |
| Corcoran High Corcoran, CA | 7.9 |
| Foothill High Palo Cedro, CA | 7.9 |
| Hercules High Hercules, CA | 7.9 |
| Mills High Millbrae, CA | 7.9 |
| Oak Park High Oak Park, CA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about San Marin High
What grades does San Marin High serve?
San Marin High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend San Marin High?
San Marin High has an enrollment of approximately 1,186 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at San Marin High?
The student-teacher ratio at San Marin High is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does San Marin High rank in CA?
San Marin High is ranked #1544 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is San Marin High's MySchoolScout rating?
San Marin High has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Marin High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, San Marin High has 41.3% math proficiency and 63.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is San Marin High a charter school?
No, San Marin High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is San Marin High a Title I school?
No, San Marin High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for San Marin High?
23.6% of students at San Marin 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
- 1,186
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Marin County
- Phone
- (415) 898-2121
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Novato Unified- District Enrollment
- 7,209
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,083
- District Rank
- #4 of 14
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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