the truth about San Marcos High School (San Diego, Carlsbad: cul-de-sac, condo)

[oliver6323]

Is it really a good school - as Newsweek says? Are there gangs? I just want an honest answer from someone who's kids currently attend the school.

We are looking at buying in either San Elijo Hills or Carlsbad and my ONE hesitation with San Marcos is the high school. I just cannot compromise my kids safety and eduction and if San Marcos is in any way dangerous I wouldn't want my kids to go there. We have been in CA exactly one week so I am just going by what I have been hearing. The vast majority of people I have spoken to here say stay away from San Marcos because of the high school and I'm wondering what the reason is.

I know with all the people moving into San Elijo Hills etc the school will get better but my kids will be going next year so I cannot wait for it to get better.....

I am in no way trying to put San Marcos High School down, I am just a mom wanting to do the best thing for my kids education....

[esmith143]

If you want your children to only attend the best schools, then maybe you'll want to avoid San Marcos High. Yes, some areas within its attendance boundaries have gang problems. Yes, scores are lower than in Poway and La Jolla. Student base is more than 50% Latino and there's a generous sprinkling of lower-income students.

However, San Marcos High is by no means a failing school, and there are far worse schools in the county. Scores have been steadily improving throughout the last decade (mostly because of the influx of upper middle class kids from Carlsbad and San Elijo Hills, I think); to the point where last year it ranked in the top 30% among all major high schools in the county, and higher than University City High (where most people wouldn't have any qualms sending their kids).

And, to my knowledge, no one has been killed or even severely beaten by gangbangers on campus of San Marcos High in the recent history.

That's my 2c, now maybe someone who does have kids in that schools could chip in.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

I'll pm you. We can't discuss many aspects on this sub-forum.

[767Captain]

You have a choice, why would you even consider San Marcos High over Carlsbad or La Costa Canyon? Both are far, far better schools. There is a reason home prices are lower in areas of Carlsbad that are served by San Marcos schools: San Marcos schools.

Despite the hype and homey commercials, San Elijo Hills is nothing more than a bunch of cheesy tract houses crammed on tiny lots.

[esmith143]

If I could afford it, I'd live in a 10,000 square foot mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, with maids, servants, and a personal helicopter.

Since I can't afford a mansion, I have to make sacrifices. I could get a nice big house on a cul-de-sac in east Carlsbad, or a house on acreage with access to horse trails in Twin Oaks, but my children would have to go to San Marcos schools. Or I could get a smaller, not-so-nice house in Carlsbad and send my children to Carlsbad High. Or I could buy a 2-bedroom condo in Carmel Valley, my teenage son and my daughter would have to share the bedroom, but I'd be comforted by the thought that they go to the best high school in San Diego (Torrey Pines High).

Choices, choices ....

[oliver6323]

Thanks everyone. It confirms what I was suspecting all along.

I enrolled them in Carlsbad today actually and feel really good about the decision.

[Olivenhain]

Originally Posted by esmith143

If I could afford it, I'd live in a 10,000 square foot mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, with maids, servants, and a personal helicopter.

Since I can't afford a mansion, I have to make sacrifices. I could buy a 2-bedroom condo in Carmel Valley, my teenage son and my daughter would have to share the bedroom, but I'd be comforted by the thought that they go to the best high school in San Diego (Torrey Pines High).

Actually, you could buy a decent $600k four bedroom home in Encinitas. Then your kids could go to any of the four excellent San Dieguito Union High Schools, including T/P.

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by Olivenhain

Actually, you could buy a decent $600k four bedroom home in Encinitas. Then your kids could go to any of the four excellent San Dieguito Union High Schools, including T/P.

Sounds like a plan. I think I'll do that.

[esmith143]

Originally Posted by Olivenhain

Actually, you could buy a decent $600k four bedroom home in Encinitas. Then your kids could go to any of the four excellent San Dieguito Union High Schools, including T/P.

Encinitas is within the boundaries of La Costa Canyon and you have to apply for an intradistrict transfer to attend TP. (Not that there's anything wrong with LCC) Also, it is not well known, but most Encinitas elementary schools outside Olivenhain are actually rather weak, and certainly worse than San Elijo Elementary.

You can't buy a decent four bedroom in Encinitas for $500k. And even for $600k it would be old and rather small (probably less than 2000 s.f.).

New 3000 s.f. houses in San Elijo Hills are starting to cross the 500k mark.

[Olivenhain]

You CAN buy a decent home in Encinitas for $600k, just not as big as in San Marcos..

Not a real complicated choice; cough up the dough for a really nice place in Encinitas, buy a lower end place in Encinitas / La Costa, or buy a place in San Marcos.

Why anyone would trade a first class education for their kids, in favor of a tract house in San Marcos is really beyond me though...