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Guadalupe, CA City Hall - panoramioPhoto: Eric Polk · CC BY 3.0
C
Schools in Guadalupe · Guadalupe Union Elementary School District, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

Guadalupe’s public schools score below 69% of California districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 14% of Guadalupe’s students scored proficient, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Guadalupe, 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.

#749of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% 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.

Reading proficiency
34%
▼ 13 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
14%
▼ 19 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
93%
▲ 7 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.7K
▼ 7% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Santa Maria Joint Union High
Students per teacher
21.2
CA 21.6
Schools in town
2
9,962 students on the public path
In brief

Guadalupe’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 451 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Guadalupe’s, its schools beat 21%, lower than their 31% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 34% of tested students were proficient in reading and 14% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Guadalupe Union Elementary spends $21,198 per student and Santa Maria Joint Union High $19,746, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Guadalupe’s grade

C− Test scoresB+ Graduation

C: better than 31% of California school districts, #749 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 31%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (451)Better than 21%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,956 test results and a graduating class of 2,347 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Guadalupe’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,970 in math, 2,942 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Guadalupe, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–4Mary Buren ElementaryGuadalupe Union Elementary School DistrictD
5–8Kermit McKenzie IntermediateGuadalupe Union Elementary School DistrictD
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores

Guadalupe runs its own schools through grade 8 (Guadalupe Union Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, shared with Santa Maria. Its high school is in Santa Maria. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Guadalupe

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Guadalupe Union Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 2 schools · 1,323 students · 18.7 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$21,198CA $21,206 · FY2024
D
Santa Maria Joint Union High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 4 schools · 8,930 students · 21.7 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$19,746CA $21,206 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · K–8, Guadalupe Union Elementary School District26%
State average 46.7% · 867 students tested
Math · K–8, Guadalupe Union Elementary School District12%
State average 33.1% · 871 students tested
Reading · 9–12, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District37%
State average 46.7% · 2075 students tested
Math · 9–12, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District15%
State average 33.1% · 2099 students tested

Guadalupe vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Guadalupe’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
GuadalupeCGuadalupe Union Elementary K–8 · Santa Maria Joint Union High 9–12

Every school in Guadalupe

5 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).

District schools in Guadalupeby address
Mary Buren Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–4
D
738 students19:1Rate it →
Kermit McKenzie Intermediate
Middle · Grades 4–8
D
585 students18:1Rate it →
Also serving Guadalupein other towns
Santa Maria High
High · Grades 9–12 · Santa Maria
3,143 students22:1Rate it →
Pioneer Valley High
High · Grades 9–12 · Santa Maria
3,080 students22:1Rate it →
Ernest Righetti High
High · Grades 9–12 · Santa Maria
2,416 students21:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Guadalupe Preschool and Guadalupe Junior High).

Questions about Guadalupe’s schools

Are Guadalupe’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Guadalupe children attend score below 69% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #749 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 21%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Guadalupe in?

Two districts: Guadalupe Union Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Santa Maria Joint Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Santa Maria.

Where do Guadalupe kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Santa Maria High, Pioneer Valley High and Ernest Righetti High.

What is Guadalupe’s graduation rate?

93% of the class of 2023 in Santa Maria Joint Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Guadalupe spend per student?

$21,198 in Guadalupe Union Elementary School District and $19,746 in Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Guadalupe families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Guadalupe → 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.