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San Marcos Unified Ranked Among Top 5 School Districts in San Diego Area by Niche
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Christine Lee
Public Information Officer
San Marcos Unified School District
760-752-1203
San Marcos Unified Ranked Among Top 5 School Districts in San Diego Area by Niche
San Marcos, CA — October 7, 2025 — San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) has received high honors in the newly released 2026 Best School Districts in America rankings from Niche, earning an A grade and securing a spot in the Top 5 school districts in the San Diego area.
Niche, a nationally recognized education ranking service, evaluates school districts across the country based on a wide range of factors, including academic performance, teacher quality, college readiness, extracurricular offerings, and feedback from students and families.
“This recognition is a reflection of the collective dedication of our students, staff, families, and community,” said Superintendent of SMUSD, Dr. Andy Johnsen. “We are proud of the learning environment we’ve created in SMUSD—one that prioritizes academic excellence, innovation, and the well-being of every student.”
The district serves nearly 19,000 students across 19 schools in North County San Diego. Over the past several years, the district has focused on preparing students to be “Future Ready” through expanded career technical education pathways, innovative instructional practices, and a commitment to engaging and supportive learning environments.
SMUSD Governing Board President Sarah Ahmad added, “Our A grade ranking is a testament to the hard work and passion of our educators and staff. It also reflects the strong partnership we share with families and the community. Together, we are making a lasting impact on the lives of our students.”
San Marcos Unified joins a select group of top-performing districts in San Diego County recognized by Niche for their excellence in education. For more information on the 2026 Best School Districts in America rankings, visit Niche.
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About San Marcos Unified School District
San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD), located in North County San Diego, serves over 19,000 students across 19 schools with a dedicated staff of more than 3,000 educators and support personnel. SMUSD is committed to fostering a high-performance learning culture where every student is challenged, supported, and prepared to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Guided by its Strategic Promise and the Portrait of a Graduate framework, SMUSD emphasizes academic excellence, innovation, equity, and whole-child development. With modern classrooms, advanced labs, and robust extracurricular and career technical pathways, the district provides a dynamic environment designed to inspire growth and opportunity.
SMUSD continuously engages with families, community partners, and stakeholders to ensure transparency, collaboration, and shared responsibility in educating tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit our website.