Marin Leader

In the 2023-24 school year, 12th grade was the largest grade in Novato Unified School District, with 715 students making up 9.6% of the student body, according to the California Department of Education. This represents a growth of 0.6% compared to the previous year.

The grade with the second highest number of students was kindergarten, with 698 students, or 9.4% of the student body.

The school that had the highest number of 12th grade students in Novato Unified School District during the period was Novato High School, while Nova Education Center had the fewest.

Overall, Novato Unified School District enrolled 7,425 students, ranking as the 214th highest enrolled district in California for the 2023-24 school year. It ranked 213th highest in the previous school year.

California's public schools face a growing financial crisis driven by declining enrollment and an increase in chronic absenteeism, both impacting the state's school funding model.

Enrollment, which peaked at 6.3 million students in the early 2000s, has steadily declined to under 6 million today, with projections indicating it could fall below 5.2 million by 2032. This trend is attributed to lower birth rates, slowed immigration, and families relocating out of state due to high housing costs. Rural and coastal districts have been particularly affected, facing tough decisions such as school closures and staffing reductions.

At the same time, chronic absenteeism has surged from 12% pre-pandemic to 25%, disproportionately impacting younger students and jeopardizing their long-term success.

School	Total Enrollment
Hamilton Meadow Park	522
Loma Verde Elementary School	414
Lu Sutton Elementary School	349
Lynwood Elementary School	259
Marin Oaks High School	88
Nova Education Center	70
Novato High School	1,393
Olive Elementary School	362
Pleasant Valley Elementary School	458
Rancho Elementary School	349
San Jose Intermediate School	516
San Marin High School	1,186
San Ramon Elementary School	441
Sinaloa Middle School	752