Callender’s public schools outscore 68% of California districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Callender, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Callender’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 384 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Callender’s, its schools beat 53%, lower than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 33% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,507 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Callender’s grade
B+: better than 68% of California school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Callender, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Callender · depends on your address
Paulding Middle
Grades 7–8 · 544 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Arroyo Grande
Mesa Middle
Grades 7–8 · 474 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Arroyo Grande
Judkins Middle
Grades 7–8 · 431 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Pismo Beach
8th grade in Callender · depends on your address
Paulding Middle
Grades 7–8 · 544 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Arroyo Grande
Mesa Middle
Grades 7–8 · 474 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Arroyo Grande
Judkins Middle
Grades 7–8 · 431 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Pismo Beach
9th grade in Callender · depends on your address
Arroyo Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 2,012 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Arroyo Grande
Nipomo High
Grades 9–12 · 819 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Nipomo
Central Coast New Tech High
Grades 9–12 · 318 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Nipomo
10th grade in Callender · depends on your address
Arroyo Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 2,012 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Arroyo Grande
Nipomo High
Grades 9–12 · 819 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Nipomo
Central Coast New Tech High
Grades 9–12 · 318 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Nipomo
11th grade in Callender · depends on your address
Arroyo Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 2,012 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Arroyo Grande
Nipomo High
Grades 9–12 · 819 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Nipomo
Central Coast New Tech High
Grades 9–12 · 318 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Nipomo
12th grade in Callender · depends on your address
Arroyo Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 2,012 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Arroyo Grande
Nipomo High
Grades 9–12 · 819 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Nipomo
Central Coast New Tech High
Grades 9–12 · 318 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Nipomo
Callender’s public schools are run by Lucia Mar Unified School District, which also serves Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Pismo Beach. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Callender vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Callender’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Callender | B+ | Lucia Mar Unified |
Every school in Callender
17 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Callender’s schools
Are Callender’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Callender children attend outscore 68% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 53%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Callender in?
Lucia Mar Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 9,590 students in 19 schools (2024–25).
Where do Callender kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Arroyo Grande High, Nipomo High and Central Coast New Tech High.
What is Callender’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Lucia Mar Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Callender spend per student?
$17,507 in Lucia Mar Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Callender families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Callender → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.