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Schools in 92078 — San Marcos, California

92078 has 7 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 57.9 — 14.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 35.6 to 74.1, a 38.5-point spread. 2 schools rank in the 90th percentile or above statewide.

Avg Scope Score
57.9
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
38.5
35.6 – 74.1
Avg Exceeded %
31.3%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
14.4%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
7
With Scope Scores

How 92078 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Discovery Elementary with a Scope Score of 74 and 54.4% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling zip code: Schools here average 31.3% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just meeting proficiency; they're pushing students beyond it.

Chronic absenteeism across 92078 averages 14.4%, above the state average of 18.1%.

How 92078 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 92078
92078San Marcos7Solid
57.9/100
92082Valley Center5Developing
34.2/100
-23.7
92083Vista8Developing
34.2/100
-23.7
92084Vista7Developing
33.7/100
-24.2
92071Santee10Solid
54.3/100
-3.6
92069San Marcos9Solid
50.0/100
-7.9

School archetypes in 92078

1 High Ceiling1 Growth Engine1 Strong All-Around1 Culture First2 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 2 schools in 92078 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

All schools in 92078

#SchoolExceededScore
1Discovery Elementary
San Marcos Unified High Ceiling
54.4%Strong
74/100
2Double Peak
San Marcos Unified Growth Engine
46.6%Strong
70/100
3San Elijo Elementary
San Marcos Unified Strong All-Around
42.2%Solid
67/100
4San Marcos High
San Marcos Unified Building Momentum
18.1%Solid
61/100
5San Elijo Middle
San Marcos Unified Culture First
29.0%Solid
55/100
6Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego
SBE - Baypoint Preparatory Academy San D Building Momentum
20.0%Developing
42/100
7La Mirada Academy
San Marcos Unified On the Rise
8.6%Developing
36/100

Schools in 92078 on the map

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 92078

  • 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 school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in San Marcos good?
San Marcos's 7 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 57.9/100, which is 14.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. 31.3% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in San Marcos?
The highest-scoring elementary school in San Marcos is Discovery Elementary with a Scope Score of 74/100 and 54.4% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do San Marcos schools compare to the state average?
San Marcos elementary schools average a Scope Score of 57.9 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (14.2 points above). The exceeded rate averages 31.3% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 14.4% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 35.6 to 74.1, a 38.5-point spread.
How many schools are in San Marcos?
San Marcos has 7 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
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 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.