Novato Unified
Novato Unified has 13 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 49.0/100 — 5.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is San Marin High at 68/100, where 28.8% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $12,709 per student (below the state average of $14,815). 1 school shows positive growth trajectories. Chronic absenteeism averages 13.7%, below the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Avg Score | Schools | Exceeded | Absent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Developing 48.9/100 | 8 | 24.4% | 8.2% |
| Middle | Developing 46.2/100 | 2 | 23.1% | 15.0% |
| High | Solid 51.3/100 | 3 | 15.6% | 27.6% |
K–12 pipeline
The typical school path in Novato Unified, top-scoring shown first.
District Analysis
Strongest level: Novato Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 51.3.
Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -1.9pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.
Consistency: Score range of 41.5 points — showing significant variation between schools.
Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 13.7%, 4.4pp above the state average of 18.1%.
Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 1.9%, near the state average of 1.7%.
Top school: San Marin High leads the district at 68 with 28.8% exceeding standard.
How we score · Scope Score methodology
School archetypes in Novato Unified
Hidden gems: 2 schools in Novato Unified are classified as Growth Engine or On the Rise — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Student demographics
District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data
District Funding
Novato Unified spends $12,709 per student in current expenditures — $2,106 below the state average of $14,815.
Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020
Teacher compensation
CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25
Elementary Schools (8)
Novato Unified has 8 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 48.9 — 5.1 points above the state average of 43.8.
Growth averages -1.9pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring elementary school is Pleasant Valley Elementary with a Scope Score of 66 and 38.1% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pleasant Valley Elementary Novato Unified Strong All-Around | 38.1% | Solid 66/100 |
| 2 | San Ramon Elementary Novato Unified Building Momentum | 33.7% | Solid 61/100 |
| 3 | Rancho Elementary Novato Unified Culture First | 36.2% | Solid 58/100 |
| 4 | Olive Elementary Novato Unified Growth Engine | 23.4% | Solid 50/100 |
| 5 | Loma Verde Elementary Novato Unified Culture First | 22.5% | Developing 47/100 |
| 6 | Lynwood Elementary Novato Unified On the Rise | 16.6% | Developing 43/100 |
| 7 | Lu Sutton Elementary Novato Unified Culture First | 15.7% | Developing 37/100 |
| 8 | Hamilton Meadow Park Novato Unified Building Momentum | 9.1% | Needs Support 29/100 |
Middle Schools (2)
Novato Unified has 2 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 46.2 — 5.7 points above the state average of 40.5.
Growth averages -6.2pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring middle school is Sinaloa Middle with a Scope Score of 51 and 25.6% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sinaloa Middle Novato Unified Building Momentum | 25.6% | Solid 51/100 |
| 2 | San Jose Intermediate Novato Unified Building Momentum | 20.5% | Developing 41/100 |
High Schools (3)
Novato Unified has 3 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 51.3 — 3.8 points above the state average of 47.5.
The highest-scoring high school is San Marin High with a Scope Score of 68 and 28.8% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Marin High Novato Unified Strong All-Around | 28.8% | Solid 68/100 |
| 2 | Novato High Novato Unified Building Momentum | 17.9% | Solid 59/100 |
| 3 | Marin Oaks High Novato Unified Building Momentum | 0.0% | Needs Support 27/100 |
Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology
Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Novato Unified
- Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
- Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
- Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
- Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
- Parent and community engagement levels
- Quality of special education and gifted programs
- How resources are distributed across schools within the district
Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology