Lake San Marcos’s public schools outscore 81% of California districts
On the state math tests, 46% of Lake San Marcos’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lake San Marcos, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Lake San Marcos’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 592 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lake San Marcos’s, its schools beat 93%, higher than their 81% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 60% and math 46% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,525 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
12 elementary schools, then five middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Pivot Charter School - San Diego II, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Lake San Marcos’s grade
A−: better than 81% of California school districts, #167 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lake San Marcos, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Lake San Marcos · depends on your address
San Marcos High
Grades 9–12 · 3,067 students · 25:1 students per teacher · in San Marcos
Mission Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,751 students · 25:1 students per teacher · in San Marcos
10th grade in Lake San Marcos · depends on your address
San Marcos High
Grades 9–12 · 3,067 students · 25:1 students per teacher · in San Marcos
Mission Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,751 students · 25:1 students per teacher · in San Marcos
11th grade in Lake San Marcos · depends on your address
San Marcos High
Grades 9–12 · 3,067 students · 25:1 students per teacher · in San Marcos
Mission Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,751 students · 25:1 students per teacher · in San Marcos
12th grade in Lake San Marcos · depends on your address
San Marcos High
Grades 9–12 · 3,067 students · 25:1 students per teacher · in San Marcos
Mission Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,751 students · 25:1 students per teacher · in San Marcos
Lake San Marcos’s public schools are run by San Marcos Unified School District, which also serves San Marcos. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Lake San Marcos vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Lake San Marcos’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lake San Marcos | A− | San Marcos Unified |
| Carlsbad | A | Carlsbad Unified K–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
| San Marcos | A− | San Marcos Unified K–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 · Escondido Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Lake San Marcos
18 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Lake San Marcos’s schools
Are Lake San Marcos’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Lake San Marcos children attend outscore 81% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #167 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 93%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lake San Marcos in?
San Marcos Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 18,837 students in 19 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lake San Marcos kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: San Marcos High and Mission Hills High.
What is Lake San Marcos’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in San Marcos Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Lake San Marcos spend per student?
$16,525 in San Marcos Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Lake San Marcos families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lake San Marcos → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.