Top Rankings
San Marcos Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 6,358 students in San Marcos Unified School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in San Marcos Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in San Marcos Unified School District have a Graduation Rate of 95%, which is more than the California average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is San Marcos High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
19 Schools
2,817 Schools
# Students
19,355 Students
2,139,525 Students
# Teachers
796 Teachers
100,737 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
24:1
24:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
San Marcos Unified School District, which is ranked #333 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 95% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#335 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
29%
Graduation Rate
95%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
8%
11%
% Hispanic
46%
56%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
37%
22%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,236 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,948 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$353 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$289 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,236
$19,974
Spending / Student
$14,948
$18,396
Best San Marcos Unified School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Foothills High School
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
158 Cassou Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2544
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2544
Grades: 9-12
| 110 students
Rank: #22.
San Marcos High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1615 San Marcos Blvd.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2200
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2200
Grades: 9-12
| 3,201 students
Rank: #33.
Mission Hills High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Mission Hills Ct.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2700
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2700
Grades: 9-12
| 2,834 students
Rank: #44.
Twin Oaks High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
158 Cassou Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2555
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2555
Grades: 9-12
| 213 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
