Schools in 92078 — San Marcos, California: 92078 schools average 9.2 points above the state — but the range is 40.3 points wide.

92078 has 11 ranked schools in San Marcos, averaging a Scope Score of 50.7/100 — 9.2 points above the state average of 41.5 (a state average weighted to 92078's own mix of school levels; CDE CAASPP 2025). Scores range from 31.6 to 71.9, a 40.3-point spread. 2 schools rank in the 90th percentile or above statewide.

How 92078 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Discovery Elementary with a Scope Score of 72 and 54.4% of students exceeding standard.

Cohort growth among 92078's elementary schools — the returning cohort, 2023 G3 → 2025 G5 — averages +81 scale-score points across 5 schools in 92078 with a large enough tested cohort. Scale scores rise with grade for nearly every school, so this describes the cohort's trajectory, not a ranking against other zip codes — worth examining school by school.

Chronic absenteeism across 92078 averages 13.9%, below the state average of 18.9%, weighted to 92078's own level mix. CDE CAASPP 2025.

How 92078 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip	City	Miles	Schools	Avg Score	vs 92078
92078	San Marcos	—	11	50.7/100	—
92069	San Marcos	3.4	9	45.5/100	-5.2
92009	Carlsbad	3.9	10	68.5/100	+17.8
92083	Vista	5.1	11	37.7/100	-13.0
92084	Vista	5.8	7	33.9/100	-16.8
92056	Oceanside	6.5	7	39.6/100	-11.1

Source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

School archetypes in 92078

3 On the Rise1 High Ceiling1 Growth Engine1 Solid Base+2 other3 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 4 schools in 92078 are classified as On the Rise (3) or Growth Engine — 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

For the data nerds

All schools in 92078

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

Figures

Score range31.6 – 71.9

40.3 pts SchoolScope composite

Chronic absenteeismstate avg 18.9% (level-matched)

13.9% CDE Attendance 2025

Elementary Schools (6)

avg 51.0/1006 ranked elementary schools3 Strong, 2 Developing, +1 more

#	School	Exceeded	Score
1	Discovery Elementary San Marcos Unified High Ceiling	54.4%	95th percentile · StrongScope Score 72/100
2	Double Peak San Marcos Unified Growth Engine	46.6%	94th percentile · StrongScope Score 70/100
3	San Elijo Elementary San Marcos Unified Solid Base	42.2%	87th percentile · StrongScope Score 59/100
4	Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego SBE - Baypoint Preparatory Academy San D Building Momentum	20.0%	58th percentile · SolidScope Score 39/100
5	High Tech Elementary North County SBC - High Tech High On the Rise	11.2%	45th percentile · DevelopingScope Score 34/100
6	La Mirada Academy San Marcos Unified On the Rise	8.6%	39th percentile · DevelopingScope Score 32/100

Middle Schools (3)

avg 44.7/1003 ranked middle schools1 Strong, 1 Solid, +1 more

#	School	Exceeded	Score
1	High Tech Middle North County SBC - High Tech High On the Rise	24.3%	81st percentile · StrongScope Score 52/100
2	San Elijo Middle San Marcos Unified Culture First	29.0%	74th percentile · SolidScope Score 48/100
3	Pivot Charter School - San Diego II San Marcos Unified Building Momentum	8.0%	45th percentile · DevelopingScope Score 34/100

High Schools (2)

avg 59.0/1002 ranked high schools2 Solid

#	School	Exceeded	Score
1	San Marcos High San Marcos Unified Building Momentum	18.1%	70th percentile · SolidScope Score 60/100
2	High Tech High North County SBC - High Tech High Strong All-Around	33.3%	65th percentile · SolidScope Score 58/100

Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 11 schools in 92078Methodology · Explore all schools

Schools in 92078 on the map

Open these schools 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

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in 92078 (San Marcos) good?

92078 has 11 ranked schools in San Marcos, averaging a Scope Score of 50.7/100 — 9.2 points above the state average, a benchmark weighted to 92078's own mix of school levels. 26.9% of students exceed the state standard on average. Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

What is the best school in 92078?

The highest-scoring school in zip code 92078 is Discovery Elementary with a Scope Score of 72/100 and 54.4% of students exceeding the state standard. See full methodology.

How do 92078 schools compare to the state average?

Schools in zip code 92078 average a Scope Score of 50.7/100 — 9.2 points above the state average of 41.5, a state average weighted to zip code 92078's own mix of school levels. The exceeded rate averages 26.9% vs. 19.9% statewide (also level-weighted).

How many schools are in zip code 92078?

Zip code 92078 has 11 ranked 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 composite rating (0–100), built from publicly available California school data across academic-performance and school-climate signals. Full methodology and weights.

All California Schools San Marcos Unified SBC - High Tech High San Marcos Schools Zip 92069 Zip 92009 Zip 92083 Zip 92084 Zip 92056

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