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San Marino Unified

Above Average2024–25 data4 schools · avg 86.2/100

San Marino Unified has 4 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 86.2/100 — 42.4 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is San Marino High at 88/100, where 49.8% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $12,375 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 3.5%, below the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
86.2
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
2.9
84.9 – 87.8
Avg Exceeded %
61.0%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
3.5%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryStrong
86.0/100
266.2%4.0%
MiddleStrong
84.9/100
161.8%3.2%
HighStrong
87.8/100
149.8%2.9%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in San Marino Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
86.0
avg score · 2 schools
Middle
84.9
avg score · 1 school
Huntington Middle
Strong
85/100
High
87.8
avg score · 1 school
San Marino High
Strong
88/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: San Marino Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 87.8.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages +1.6pp (state avg: -3.0pp), suggesting schools are making incremental gains.

Consistency: Score range of 2.9 points — remarkably consistent between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 3.5%, 14.6pp above the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 0.3%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: San Marino High leads the district at 88 with 49.8% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in San Marino Unified

3 High Ceiling1 Strong All-Around

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Student demographics

Hispanic
6.6%
White
18.2%
Asian
60.3%
Black
0.5%
Other
14.4%
Free/Reduced Lunch
11%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

San Marino Unified spends $12,375 per student in current expenditures — $2,439 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$12,375
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
2,821
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↓ 10.7%
$13,861 → $12,375
Spending Efficiency
6.97
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 62%Support 36%Other 2%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$63,157–$125,484
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
146
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (2)

San Marino Unified has 2 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 86.0 — 42.3 points above the state average of 43.8. 2 of 2 elementary schools score above 70.

District-wide growth averages +1.6pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Carver Elementary with a Scope Score of 87 and 68.5% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScore
1Carver Elementary
San Marino Unified High Ceiling
Strong
87/100
2Valentine Elementary
San Marino Unified High Ceiling
Strong
85/100

Middle Schools (1)

San Marino Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 84.9 — 44.5 points above the state average of 40.5. 1 of 1 middle schools score above 70.

Growth averages -5.6pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring middle school is Huntington Middle with a Scope Score of 85 and 61.8% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScore
1Huntington Middle
San Marino Unified High Ceiling
Strong
85/100

High Schools (1)

San Marino Unified has 1 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 87.8 — 40.3 points above the state average of 47.5. 1 of 1 high schools score above 70.

The highest-scoring high school is San Marino High with a Scope Score of 88 and 49.8% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScore
1San Marino High
San Marino Unified Strong All-Around
Strong
88/100

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 San Marino 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

Frequently asked questions

Is San Marino Unified a good school district?
San Marino Unified has 4 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 86.2/100, which is 42.4 points above the California state average of 43.8. 61.0% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in San Marino Unified?
The highest-scoring school in San Marino Unified is San Marino High with a Scope Score of 88/100 and 49.8% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does San Marino Unified spend per student?
San Marino Unified spends $12,375 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in San Marino Unified?
Teacher salaries in San Marino Unified range from $63,157–$125,484 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.