For the 2025 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 17,645 students in San Marcos, CA (there are 7 private schools, serving 997 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in San Marcos, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in San Marcos, CA are Discovery Elementary School, Paloma Elementary School and San Elijo Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
San Marcos, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in San Marcos have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in San Marcos, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Discovery Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
730 Applewilde Dr.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2077
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2077
Grades: K-5
| 687 students
Rank: #22.
Paloma Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
660 Camino Magnifico
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2199
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2199
Grades: K-5
| 742 students
Rank: #33.
San Elijo Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1615 Schoolhouse Way
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2600
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2600
Grades: K-5
| 846 students
Rank: #44.
Double Peak
(Math: 61% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
111 San Elijo Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2340
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2340
Grades: K-8
| 1,198 students
Rank: #55.
San Elijo Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1600 Schoolhouse Way
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2800
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2800
Grades: 6-8
| 1,482 students
Rank: #66.
Richland Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
910 Richland Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2400
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2400
Grades: K-5
| 869 students
Rank: #77.
Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
520 E. Carmel St.
San Marcos, CA 92079
(760) 203-4383
San Marcos, CA 92079
(760) 203-4383
Grades: K-8
| 237 students
Rank: #88.
Knob Hill Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1825 Knob Hill Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2080
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2080
Grades: K-5
| 726 students
Rank: #99.
Foothills High School
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
158 Cassou Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2544
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2544
Grades: 9-12
| 110 students
Rank: #1010.
Woodland Park Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1270 Rock Springs Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2455
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2455
Grades: 6-8
| 1,179 students
Rank: #1111.
Twin Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Cassou Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2588
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2588
Grades: K-5
| 706 students
Rank: #1212.
San Marcos High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1615 San Marcos Blvd.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2200
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2200
Grades: 9-12
| 3,201 students
Rank: #1313.
Mission Hills High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Mission Hills Ct.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2700
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2700
Grades: 9-12
| 2,834 students
Rank: #1414.
San Marcos Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
650 West Mission Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2500
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2500
Grades: 6-8
| 987 students
Rank: #1515.
Pivot Charter School - San Diego Ii
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1030 La Bonita Dr., Ste. 100
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 591-0217
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 591-0217
Grades: K-12
| 82 students
Rank: #1616.
La Mirada Academy
(Math: 25% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3697 La Mirada Dr.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2000
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2000
Grades: K-8
| 897 students
Rank: #1717.
San Marcos Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1 Tiger Way
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2430
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2430
Grades: K-5
| 599 students
Rank: #1818.
North Coastal Consortium Schools
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
255 Pico Ave. Rm. 220
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 761-5110
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 761-5110
Grades: K-12
| 50 students
Rank: #1919.
Twin Oaks High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
158 Cassou Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2555
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2555
Grades: 9-12
| 213 students
San Marcos, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Bayshore Preparatory Charter (Closed 2023)
Charter School
1175 Linda Vista Dr.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 471-0847
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 471-0847
Grades: K-12
| 95 students
1782 La Costa Meadows Dr., Ste
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 494-9646
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 494-9646
Grades: K-12
| 232 students
North Region Community (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
255 Pico Ave
San Marcos, CA 92069
(619) 671-5130
San Marcos, CA 92069
(619) 671-5130
Grades: 6-12
| 336 students
North Region Community School Of Greater Escondido (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
255 Pico Ave
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 671-5280
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 671-5280
Grades: 7-12
| 120 students
North Region Community School Of Greater Oceanside (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
255 Pico Ave
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 671-5280
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 671-5280
Grades: 7-12
| 65 students
North Region Community School Of Greater San Marco (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
255 Pico Ave
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 671-5280
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 671-5280
Grades: 7-12
| 115 students
North Region Court (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
255 Pico Ave
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 671-5130
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 671-5130
Grades: K-12
| 44 students
Pathways Academy Charter (Closed 2023)
Charter School
31505 Old River Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 494-9646
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 494-9646
Grades: K-12
| 384 students
Pathways Academy Charter Adult Education (Closed 2023)
Charter School
100 E. San Marcos Blvd. Ste. 3
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 456-5504
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 456-5504
Grades: 9-12
| 38 students
Pivot Charter School - San Diego (Closed 2023)
Charter School
1030 La Bonita Dr. Ste. 100
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 591-0217
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 591-0217
Grades: K-12
| 236 students
Pivot Charter School Riverside Ii (Closed 2018)
Charter School
29680 Lakeview Ave.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(877) 544-1429
San Marcos, CA 92078
(877) 544-1429
Grades: K-12
| 101 students
158 Cassou Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 744-9700
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 744-9700
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
100 N. Rancho Sante Fe Rd. #1
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 295-5564
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 295-5564
Grades: K-12
| 153 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in San Marcos, CA?
The top ranked public schools in San Marcos, CA include Discovery Elementary School, Paloma Elementary School and San Elijo Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in San Marcos?
19 public schools are located in San Marcos.
What percentage of students in San Marcos go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in San Marcos are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in San Marcos?
San Marcos public schools minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in San Marcos are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in San Marcos include: Mission Hills High School vs. San Marcos High School, San Elijo Elementary School vs. Double Peak, San Marcos High School vs. Mission Hills High School
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