Original Research by School Decision on San Marino High
San Marino High is a regular public school serving grades nine through twelve in an affluent community in Los Angeles County. The school enrolls students from a notably homogeneous background: the student body is majority Asian, with smaller shares of white students, multiracial students, and Hispanic students, and very few Black students. A small share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school's size is modest for a high school.
State assessment data for the school is available only for this year. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was strong. Mathematics proficiency was also solid, though moderately lower than ELA. Science proficiency was the lowest of the three tested subjects, though still above half. Because only one year of testing data has been reported, trend analysis is not possible; a parent may want to look into prior-year results with the school directly or ask about the school's longer-term performance.
San Marino High sits in the San Marino Unified School District, which serves four schools across the town and has undertaken two significant property-tax measures that shape the cost of living for families there. In November 2024, voters approved a school facilities bond to fund repairs, modernized classrooms, science and engineering labs, and technology upgrades. In June 2025, the district renewed its parcel tax to support approximately eleven teaching and counseling positions, class sizes, libraries, and other services. Both measures are repaid through local property taxes, making them relevant to any family considering homeownership or residence in San Marino.
The district has introduced a distinctive program at San Marino High: the Titan Medical Arts Academy, a four-year dual-enrollment health-careers pathway run in partnership with Pasadena City College. Students in the program earn college credit on campus and have access to medical-grade equipment and simulation software. The inaugural cohort drew a substantial enrollment, signaling strong student interest in this offering.
Housing values in the San Marino ZIP code are high relative to state and national benchmarks. Rental costs are also elevated, and the ratio of rent to income, as well as the estimated monthly mortgage payment relative to income, reflects the premium cost of living in the area. The community sits within an affluent county and market, and the housing values and property-tax obligations underscore that this is a school and town for families with significant resources.
State graduation rate data and chronic absenteeism data for the school were not available; comparison metrics across the county's districts could not be computed for this school. Data on special education enrollment and English learner enrollment were also not reported. Because San Marino High serves only grades nine through twelve, it does not have early elementary testing results. A parent seeking fuller context on student outcomes and peer characteristics may want to request additional information directly from the school.
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