Novato Unified, CA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Novato Unified

Novato Unified is a small to mid-sized district serving kindergarten through twelfth grade across Novato and adjacent Marin County communities. The district enrolls about seven thousand students, with a student body that is roughly evenly split between Hispanic and white students, with smaller populations of Asian, multiracial, and other students. Free and reduced price lunch data and English learner counts are not currently available in district reporting.

Academic performance across the district sits below the midpoint when compared to other Marin County districts. In English language arts, proficiency ranges from about half of students at the third and fourth grade levels to somewhat higher in middle grades, where proficiency climbs modestly into the low-to-mid fifties. Math proficiency is lower, with roughly half of third graders meeting standards but a steeper decline through the elementary grades, dropping into the upper thirties by grades seven and eight. Science proficiency, measured at grades five and eight, hovers in the mid-to-upper thirties. These results suggest uneven support across grade levels and subjects, with particular gaps emerging in upper elementary and middle school math. A parent may want to look into how the district is addressing these patterns and what targeted intervention or instructional shifts are underway.

The district's overall proficiency index and chronic absenteeism rate both sit slightly below the county median, placing Novato in a middle tier within Marin County. Per-pupil spending is in the lower range among county districts, a reality that has prompted both recent and pending parcel taxes. Voters approved a long-standing parcel tax, Measure A, in 2023, which funds teacher retention and core programs. Additionally, Measure G is on the June 2, 2026 ballot; if approved, it would add a supplemental parcel tax to support teacher recruitment and retention for a set term, on top of the existing levy. This pattern of relying on local property taxes underscores what district advocates describe as the county's lowest per-pupil funding base, a constraint families moving to or within the area should factor into their housing and tax planning.

The district faced enrollment pressure in prior years. A closure recommendation for Lu Sutton Elementary surfaced in 2022, but was paused rather than executed, and enrollment has since stabilized and rebounded. This history is relevant for families concerned about school consolidation risk if economic or enrollment conditions shift again.

A bright spot is the district's expansion of arts and music education starting in 2023-24, funded through Proposition 28. This brings dedicated, ongoing resources for arts programs across schools, an enrichment area that many families prioritize. The district operates a range of schools from traditional elementary schools to a specialized Nova Education Center and Novato Early Intervention program, as well as three high schools including Hamilton TK-8, which offers a combined model for younger and older students.

The community itself sits in an expensive housing market. Home values in the district's zip codes are substantial, and rental costs are equally steep relative to median household income. Mortgage affordability is tight, with estimated monthly payments well above income-based benchmarks, and rent also represents a high share of typical household income. This is a community with established infrastructure and stable enrollment, but also one where property taxes and housing costs are both major household considerations.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

7,209

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 44%

Black 2%

White 40%

Asian 5%

Two+ 8%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

34%

—

Gr 3

29%

68%

Gr 4

35%

70%

Gr 5

37%

73%

Gr 6

33%

77%

Gr 7

30%

72%

Gr 8

37%

72%

Gr 11

40%

—

Math

Gr ALL

24%

—

Gr 3

31%

71%

Gr 4

29%

64%

Gr 5

23%

63%

Gr 6

25%

66%

Gr 7

22%

61%

Gr 8

21%

57%

Gr 11

19%

—

Science

Gr ALL

22%

—

Gr 5

21%

56%

Gr 8

23%

54%

Gr 12

22%

—

Gr HS

22%

—

Gr UG_SEC

22%

—

Schools in this District

15 schools are officially reported under this district.

Hamilton TK-8

Loma Verde Elementary

Pleasant Valley Elementary

Nova Education Center

San Jose Middle

Novato Early Intervention

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

51%

Grade 3

46%

Grade 4

41%

Grade 5

45%

Grade 6

39%

Grade 7

38%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

49%

Grade 3

52%

Grade 4

53%

Grade 5

55%

Grade 6

48%

Grade 7

53%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

37%

Grade 5

37%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

61%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$1.15M

Year-over-year change-0.5%

Range across 6 ZIP codes$1.0M to $2.1M

vs. state typical1.49x

vs. national typical3.14x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (6 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
94945	Novato	$1.1M	-1.2%	36.7%
94949	Novato	$1.2M	+1.1%	21.9%
94947	Novato	$1.0M	-1.0%	20.9%
94952	Petaluma	$1.1M	-0.1%	14.8%
94946	Nicasio	$2.1M	-1.5%	4.5%
94903	San Rafael	$1.3M	+1.3%	1.1%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$3,719/mo

Year-over-year change+3.0%

Range across 5 ZIP codes$2,885 to $4,487/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (5 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
94945	Novato	$4,487	—	36.7%
94949	Novato	$3,240	+1.7%	21.9%
94947	Novato	$3,495	+5.3%	20.9%
94952	Petaluma	$2,885	+1.8%	14.8%
94903	San Rafael	$3,142	+3.4%	1.1%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$5,828/mo

Home price / national median income13.8x

Annual rent / national median income53.3%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$2,109/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$776,233 (-1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.