Photo: Taylorj661 · Public domainSan Marcos’s public schools outscore 84% of California districts
On the state math tests, 50% of San Marcos’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving 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 96% 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.
San Marcos’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 543 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of San Marcos’s, its schools beat 91%, higher than their 84% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 64% and math 50% across its districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
San Marcos Unified spends $16,525 per student and San Dieguito Union High $15,720, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Nine 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
High Tech Middle North County, High Tech High North County, Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego, High Tech Elementary North County and St. Joseph Academy (private) are in town. 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 San Marcos’s grade
A−: better than 84% of California school districts, #132 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 San Marcos, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in San Marcos · depends on your address
San Marcos High
Grades 9–12 · 3,067 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Mission Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,751 students · 25:1 students per teacher
10th grade in San Marcos · depends on your address
San Marcos High
Grades 9–12 · 3,067 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Mission Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,751 students · 25:1 students per teacher
11th grade in San Marcos · depends on your address
San Marcos High
Grades 9–12 · 3,067 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Mission Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,751 students · 25:1 students per teacher
12th grade in San Marcos · depends on your address
San Marcos High
Grades 9–12 · 3,067 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Mission Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,751 students · 25:1 students per teacher
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve San Marcos
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
San Marcos vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share San Marcos’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| San Marcos | A− | San Marcos Unified K–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 · Escondido Union High 9–12 |
| Escondido | C+ | Escondido Union Elementary K–8 · Escondido Union High 9–12 |
| Carlsbad | A | Carlsbad Unified K–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
| Vista | B | Vista Unified |
| Encinitas | A | Encinitas Union Elementary K–6 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
2 of the 4 neighbors share San Dieguito Union High with San Marcos for grades 7–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in San Marcos
22 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 San Marcos’s schools
Are San Marcos’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools San Marcos children attend outscore 84% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #132 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 91%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is 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 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 San Marcos’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in San Dieguito Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does San Marcos spend per student?
$16,525 in San Marcos Unified School District, $15,720 in San Dieguito Union High School District and $21,430 in Escondido Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in San Marcos?
Yes: St. Joseph Academy (Catholic, grades K–12, 355 students). San Marcos also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What San Marcos families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near 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.