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Elementary Schools in San Marcos, California

Above Average2024–25 data16 schools · avg 53.5/100

San Marcos, California has 16 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 53.5/100 — 9.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Discovery Elementary at 74/100, where 54.4% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. San Marcos schools average 26.0% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 16 schools, 1 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 17.1% (near the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
53.5
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
46.4
27.7 – 74.1
Avg Exceeded %
26.0%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
17.1%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
16
With Scope Scores

How San Marcos schools compare

San Marcos's 16 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 53.5 — 9.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 27.7 to 74.1, a 46.4-point spread.

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

High-ceiling schools: San Marcos schools average 26.0% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just getting students to proficiency, they're pushing them further.

Chronic absenteeism in San Marcos averages 17.1%, which is near the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in San Marcos

4 Strong All-Around2 Culture First1 High Ceiling9 Building Momentum

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

Schools in San Marcos ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Discovery Elementary
San Marcos Unified High Ceiling
54.4%Strong
74/100
2Paloma Elementary
San Marcos Unified Strong All-Around
45.5%Strong
70/100
3Double Peak
San Marcos Unified Strong All-Around
46.6%Strong
70/100
4San Elijo Elementary
San Marcos Unified Strong All-Around
42.2%Solid
67/100
5San Marcos High
San Marcos Unified Building Momentum
18.1%Solid
61/100
6Mission Hills High
San Marcos Unified Building Momentum
18.1%Solid
61/100
7Richland Elementary
San Marcos Unified Strong All-Around
38.5%Solid
60/100
8Knob Hill Elementary
San Marcos Unified Building Momentum
31.7%Solid
57/100
9San Elijo Middle
San Marcos Unified Culture First
29.0%Solid
55/100
10Twin Oaks Elementary
San Marcos Unified Culture First
19.1%Developing
47/100
11Twin Oaks High
San Marcos Unified Building Momentum
0.7%Developing
46/100
12Woodland Park Middle
San Marcos Unified Building Momentum
19.7%Developing
43/100
13Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego
SBE - Baypoint Preparatory Academy San D Building Momentum
20.0%Developing
42/100
14San Marcos Middle
San Marcos Unified Building Momentum
15.3%Developing
38/100
15La Mirada Academy
San Marcos Unified Building Momentum
8.6%Developing
36/100
16San Marcos Elementary
San Marcos Unified Building Momentum
8.7%Needs Support
28/100

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.

Private Schools in San Marcos

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

St. Joseph Academy
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-12 · 359 students
13:1Private
Valley Christian School
Amish · Grades Pre-K-6 · 134 students
11:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about San Marcos

  • 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 16 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 53.5/100, which is 9.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. 26.0% 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 53.5 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (9.7 points above). The exceeded rate averages 26.0% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 17.1% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 27.7 to 74.1, a 46.4-point spread.
How many schools are in San Marcos?
San Marcos has 16 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.

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