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Needs Improvement

#8076 of 8,552 schools in TX

San Marcos H S

High School · SAN MARCOS CISD

P O BOX 1087, San Marcos, TX 78667

Enrollment

2,494

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

3.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#8,076 of 8,552

In San Marcos

#11 of 15

public schools

In district

#9 of 11

SAN MARCOS CISD

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San Marcos H S

3.4/10

High School in San Marcos · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bowie EL

3.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hays Inspire Academy

Nearby

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About San Marcos H S

San Marcos H S is a public high school in San Marcos, TX, part of SAN MARCOS CISD. San Marcos H S serves approximately 2,494 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. San Marcos H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #8,076 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for San Marcos H S show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.9 pts below TX schools
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

San Marcos H S is a large school: 2,494 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

70% of students at San Marcos H S were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-31.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.3 pts
Overall Proficiency25% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-18.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate79%
AP Participation15.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,760
Chronic Absenteeism70.4%

San Marcos H S — Students at San Marcos H S score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 55.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 28 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
66%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
31%
2024
Math
12%
ELA
37%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How San Marcos H S Compares

See how San Marcos H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
6th percentile in TX
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
168 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
70.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
15.3% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·55 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

P O BOX 1087, San Marcos, TX 78667

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering San Marcos H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SOUTHWEST TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is RODRIGUEZ EL (rated 8.6/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, OAK CREEK EL (rated 7.8/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby New Braunfels), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Marcos, see our San Marcos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.8 mi
School Distance Rating
BOWIE EL San Marcos 0.5 mi 3.2
HAYS INSPIRE ACADEMY San Marcos 0.7 mi
MENDEZ EL San Marcos 2.5 mi 4.7
DEZAVALA EL San Marcos 2.5 mi 3.7
GOODNIGHT MIDDLE San Marcos 2.6 mi 3.8
PALOMA MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Marcos 2.6 mi 3.9
BONHAM PRE-K SCHOOL San Marcos 2.8 mi 3.8
MILLER MIDDLE San Marcos 2.8 mi 6.8
RODRIGUEZ EL San Marcos 2.8 mi 8.6
HERNANDEZ EL San Marcos 3.2 mi 6.7
CROCKETT EL San Marcos 4.4 mi 7.1
ADVENT RIDGE ACADEMY San Marcos 5.0 mi 6.2
TRAVIS EL San Marcos 5.4 mi 3.1
KI CHARTER ACADEMY San Marcos 5.4 mi 6.7
TEXAS PREPARATORY SCHOOL San Marcos 5.5 mi 3.1
WONDERLAND SCHOOL San Marcos 5.6 mi 6.2
SAN MARCOS BAPTIST ACADEMY San Marcos 6.1 mi 7.4
SOUTHWEST TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL San Marcos 6.2 mi 8.8
BLANCO VISTA EL San Marcos 9.2 mi 7.6
OAK CREEK EL New Braunfels 8.8 mi 7.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
DR THOMAS E RANDLE H S Richmond, TX 3.4
HUNTSVILLE H S Huntsville, TX 3.4
LEGACY H S Midland, TX 3.4
ELGIN H S Elgin, TX 3.5
HOUSTON MATH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER Houston, TX 3.3
MIDLAND H S Midland, TX 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about San Marcos H S

What grades does San Marcos H S serve?

San Marcos H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend San Marcos H S?

San Marcos H S has an enrollment of approximately 2,494 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at San Marcos H S?

The student-teacher ratio at San Marcos H S is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does San Marcos H S rank in TX?

San Marcos H S ranks #8,076 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is San Marcos H S's MySchoolScout rating?

San Marcos H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at San Marcos H S?

Based on loaded state assessment records, San Marcos H S has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is San Marcos H S a charter school?

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

Is San Marcos H S a Title I school?

No, San Marcos H S is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for San Marcos H S?

74.5% of students at San Marcos H S 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,494
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
168
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Hays County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
70.4%
4-Year Graduation
79.0%

District

SAN MARCOS CISD
District Enrollment
8,311
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,760
District Rank
#9 of 11

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