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San Marcos Unified School District

Item: San Marcos Unified School District
Rating: 9
Author: Public School Review

255 Pico Ave. Ste. 250
San Marcos, CA 92069-3712

( shown in map)

Top 20%

Tel: (760) 752-1299

www.smusd.org

Top Rankings

San Marcos Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Overview

This School District

This State (CA)

# Schools

19 Schools

10,347 Schools

# Students

18,837 Students

5,790,405 Students

# Teachers

804 Teachers

267,593 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

23:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	San Marcos Unified School District	California
Kind	1,656	264
1	1,281	187
2	1,347	196
3	1,318	204
4	1,384	205
5	1,384	209
6	1,438	210
7	1,397	213
8	1,532	216
9	1,485	231
10	1,424	225
11	1,551	226
12	1,640	235

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District Rank

San Marcos Unified School District, which is ranked #350 of all 1,904 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 95% has increased from 94% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (CA)

#327 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 20%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	San Marcos Unified School District
2023	#327
2022	#335
2019	#272
2018	#201
2017	#174
2016	#160
2015	#170
2014	#118
2013	#132
2012	#148
2011	#125

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47%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2023	47%	34%
2022	46%	33%
2019	52%	40%
2018	51%	39%
2017	49%	38%
2016	50%	37%
2015	47%	34%
2014	77%	63%
2013	74%	59%
2012	73%	59%
2011	73%	58%

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60%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2022	60%	47%
2019	67%	51%
2018	51%	50%
2017	65%	48%
2016	65%	48%
2015	61%	44%
2014	74%	58%
2013	74%	57%
2012	74%	58%
2011	73%	56%
2010	69%	54%

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39%

29%

95%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2023	95%	87%
2022	95%	87%
2021	94%	84%
2020	94%	85%
2019	94%	84%
2018	94%	84%
2017	95%	83%
2016	98%	83%
2015	94%	89%
2014	94%	88%
2013	94%	87%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.65

0.63

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2024	0.65	0.63
2023	0.64	0.64
2022	0.64	0.63
2021	0.63	0.62
2020	0.63	0.63
2019	0.63	0.63
2018	0.59	0.64
2017	0.59	0.64
2016	0.61	0.64
2015	0.61	0.64
2014	0.62	0.65
2013	0.62	0.65
2012	0.62	0.65
2011	0.62	0.67
2010	0.62	0.67
2009	0.62	0.71
2008	0.61	0.65
2007	0.61	0.67
2006	0.61	0.66
2005	0.60	0.67
2004	0.60	0.67
2003	0.60	0.67
2002	0.59	0.67
2001	0.59	0.67
2000	0.59	0.67
1999	0.58	0.67
1998	0.58	0.67
1997	0.58	0.67
1996	0.58	0.67
1995	0.57	0.67
1994	0.57	0.67
1993	0.56	0.67
1992	0.55	0.67
1991	0.53	0.67
1990	0.49	0.66
1989	0.45	0.65
1988	0.43	0.65

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2023	1%	1%
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2011	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2008	2%	1%
2007	1%	2%
2006	1%	1%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%
1997	2%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%
1990	1%	1%

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% Asian

12%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2024	8%	12%
2023	8%	12%
2022	8%	12%
2021	8%	12%
2020	10%	12%
2019	10%	12%
2018	7%	11%
2017	7%	11%
2016	8%	11%
2015	8%	11%
2014	8%	11%
2013	8%	11%
2012	8%	11%
2011	8%	11%
2010	8%	11%
2009	8%	11%
2008	8%	12%
2007	8%	12%
2006	8%	12%
2005	7%	12%
2004	6%	12%
2003	6%	11%
2002	6%	11%
2001	5%	11%
2000	5%	11%
1999	5%	11%
1998	5%	11%
1997	5%	11%
1996	5%	11%
1995	5%	11%
1994	5%	11%
1993	4%	11%
1992	4%	11%
1991	4%	11%
1990	4%	10%
1989	4%	10%
1988	4%	10%

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% Hispanic

46%

56%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2024	46%	56%
2023	46%	55%
2022	46%	56%
2021	46%	56%
2020	45%	55%
2019	45%	55%
2018	46%	54%
2017	46%	54%
2016	46%	54%
2015	46%	54%
2014	46%	53%
2013	46%	53%
2012	46%	52%
2011	46%	51%
2010	47%	50%
2009	48%	49%
2008	48%	50%
2007	48%	49%
2006	48%	48%
2005	48%	47%
2004	48%	46%
2003	48%	45%
2002	47%	44%
2001	47%	43%
2000	46%	42%
1999	45%	41%
1998	44%	40%
1997	43%	40%
1996	41%	39%
1995	40%	38%
1994	39%	37%
1993	38%	36%
1992	35%	35%
1991	32%	34%
1990	28%	33%
1989	25%	31%
1988	22%	30%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2024)
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2024	1%	5%
2022	1%	5%
2020	3%	5%
2019	3%	5%
2018	2%	6%
2017	2%	6%
2016	2%	6%
2015	2%	6%
2014	2%	6%
2013	3%	6%
2012	3%	6%
2011	3%	7%
2010	3%	7%
2009	3%	7%
2008	3%	8%
2007	3%	8%
2006	3%	8%
2005	3%	8%
2004	3%	8%
2003	3%	8%
2002	3%	8%
2001	3%	8%
2000	3%	9%
1999	3%	9%
1998	3%	9%
1997	2%	9%
1996	3%	9%
1995	3%	9%
1994	3%	9%
1993	3%	9%
1992	2%	9%

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% White

37%

20%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2024	37%	20%
2023	39%	21%
2022	39%	21%
2021	39%	22%
2020	40%	23%
2019	40%	23%
2018	45%	24%
2017	45%	24%
2016	42%	24%
2015	42%	24%
2014	42%	25%
2013	41%	25%
2012	41%	26%
2011	40%	27%
2010	40%	27%
2009	39%	28%
2008	39%	29%
2007	40%	29%
2006	40%	31%
2005	40%	31%
2004	41%	32%
2003	42%	34%
2002	43%	35%
2001	44%	36%
2000	45%	37%
1999	46%	38%
1998	47%	39%
1997	48%	39%
1996	50%	40%
1995	51%	41%
1994	52%	42%
1993	54%	43%
1992	58%	44%
1991	61%	45%
1990	65%	47%
1989	70%	49%
1988	73%	50%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

View Data

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2014)
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2014	1%	1%
2013	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2011	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%

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% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2024)
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2024	8%	6%
2023	6%	6%
2022	6%	5%
2021	5%	5%
2016	2%	4%
2015	2%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
2009	1%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,738 in this school district is less than the state median of $20,100. The school district revenue/student has grown by 36% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $15,359 is less than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has grown by 13% over four school years.

This School District

This State (CA)

Total Revenue

$353 MM

$116,387 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2023	$353 MM	$8 MM
2022	$287 MM	$7 MM
2021	$353 MM	$8 MM
2020	$287 MM	$7 MM
2019	$290 MM	$7 MM
2018	$305 MM	$29 MM
2017	$260 MM	$26 MM
2016	$254 MM	$24 MM
2015	$160 MM	$17 MM
2014	$196 MM	$21 MM
2012	$178 MM	$19 MM
2011	$186 MM	$19 MM
2010	$160 MM	$17 MM
2009	$179 MM	$19 MM
2008	$178 MM	$19 MM
2007	$150 MM	$19 MM
2006	$158 MM	$17 MM
2005	$126 MM	$16 MM
2004	$140 MM	$16 MM
2003	$137 MM	$16 MM
2002	$141 MM	$15 MM
2001	$101 MM	$15 MM
2000	$79 MM	$13 MM
1999	$75 MM	$12 MM
1998	$72 MM	$11 MM
1997	$73 MM	$10 MM
1996	$54 MM	$9 MM
1995	$47 MM	$8 MM

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Spending

$289 MM

$107,188 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2023	$289 MM	$7 MM
2022	$283 MM	$7 MM
2021	$289 MM	$7 MM
2020	$283 MM	$7 MM
2019	$312 MM	$7 MM
2018	$320 MM	$29 MM
2017	$271 MM	$24 MM
2016	$261 MM	$23 MM
2015	$177 MM	$18 MM
2014	$259 MM	$21 MM
2012	$208 MM	$19 MM
2011	$168 MM	$19 MM
2010	$177 MM	$18 MM
2009	$169 MM	$18 MM
2008	$168 MM	$19 MM
2007	$148 MM	$18 MM
2006	$158 MM	$17 MM
2005	$133 MM	$16 MM
2004	$160 MM	$17 MM
2003	$137 MM	$15 MM
2002	$107 MM	$16 MM
2001	$94 MM	$14 MM
2000	$80 MM	$13 MM
1999	$76 MM	$11 MM
1998	$86 MM	$11 MM
1997	$64 MM	$10 MM
1996	$53 MM	$8 MM
1995	$49 MM	$8 MM

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Revenue / Student

$18,738

$20,100

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2023	$18,093	$15,607
2022	$13,753	$14,213
2021	$17,878	$15,669
2020	$13,753	$14,213
2019	$13,825	$14,063
2018	$15,164	$16,033
2017	$12,420	$16,692
2016	$12,236	$15,604
2015	$7,817	$10,238
2014	$9,726	$11,786
2012	$9,303	$11,929
2011	$9,954	$11,681
2010	$8,891	$10,238
2009	$10,021	$11,099
2008	$10,223	$11,762
2007	$8,891	$11,879
2006	$9,764	$10,859
2005	$8,161	$10,445
2004	$9,564	$10,566
2003	$9,870	$10,456
2002	$10,539	$9,803
2001	$7,924	$10,568
2000	$6,487	$8,943
1999	$6,329	$8,203
1998	$6,246	$7,395
1997	$6,463	$6,922
1995	$4,506	$5,953
1992	$4,264	$5,430

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Spending / Student

$15,359

$18,511

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	San Marcos Unified School District	California
2023	$14,830	$13,914
2022	$13,578	$13,602
2021	$14,655	$13,970
2020	$13,578	$13,602
2019	$14,862	$13,522
2018	$15,910	$16,124
2017	$12,940	$15,588
2016	$12,555	$14,779
2015	$8,687	$10,739
2014	$12,873	$11,804
2012	$10,881	$12,155
2011	$9,006	$11,509
2010	$9,882	$10,739
2009	$9,443	$10,975
2008	$9,655	$11,678
2007	$8,774	$11,317
2006	$9,756	$10,926
2005	$8,619	$10,789
2004	$10,948	$11,073
2003	$9,881	$10,210
2002	$8,034	$10,600
2001	$7,366	$10,007
2000	$6,570	$9,131
1999	$6,444	$7,911
1998	$7,429	$7,592
1997	$5,681	$6,759
1995	$4,631	$6,033
1992	$5,016	$5,588

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to San Marcos Unified School District?

San Marcos Unified School District manages 19 public schools serving 18,837 students.

What is the rank of San Marcos Unified School District?

San Marcos Unified School District is ranked #350 out of 1,904 school districts in California (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%), Highest graduation rate (Top 5%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in San Marcos Unified School District?

46% of San Marcos Unified School District students are Hispanic, 37% of students are White, 8% of students are Asian, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.

What is the student/teacher ratio of San Marcos Unified School District?

San Marcos Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 23:1, which is higher than the California state average of 22:1.

What is San Marcos Unified School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $15,359 is less than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has grown by 13% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 19 schools
Grades: K-12
Enrollment: 18,837 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
Minority Enrollment: 63%
: 95% (Top 5% in CA)
: Top 20%
: 47% (Top 20%)
: 60% (Top 20%)
: 39% (Top 30%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education