Photo: Orcutteer · CC BY 4.0Orcutt’s public schools outscore 62% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Orcutt, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Orcutt, 27% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). 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 95% 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.
Orcutt’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 528 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Orcutt’s, its schools beat 56%, lower than their 62% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% 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
Orcutt Union Elementary spends $15,054 per student and Santa Maria Joint Union High $19,746, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Orcutt Academy Charter, St. Joseph High School (private) and Pacific Christian School (private) are in town. Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/Santa Maria, Family Partnership Charter and Orcutt School for Independent Study, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. Every school ↓
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 Orcutt’s grade
B: better than 62% of California school districts, #341 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Orcutt, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Orcutt · depends on your address
Orcutt Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 464 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Santa Maria
Lakeview Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 463 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Santa Maria
8th grade in Orcutt · depends on your address
Orcutt Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 464 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Santa Maria
Lakeview Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 463 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Santa Maria
9th grade in Orcutt
Ernest Righetti High
Grades 9–12 · 2,416 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Santa Maria
10th grade in Orcutt
Ernest Righetti High
Grades 9–12 · 2,416 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Santa Maria
Orcutt runs its own schools through grade 12 (Orcutt Union Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, shared with Guadalupe and Santa Maria. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Orcutt
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Orcutt vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Orcutt’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Orcutt | B | Orcutt Union Elementary K–12 · Santa Maria Joint Union High 9–12 |
| Santa Maria | C− | Santa Maria-Bonita Elementary K–8 · Santa Maria Joint Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Orcutt
15 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Santa Barbara County ROP-North).
Questions about Orcutt’s schools
Are Orcutt’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Orcutt children attend outscore 62% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #341 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 56%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Orcutt in?
Two districts: Orcutt Union Elementary School District runs grades K–12, and Santa Maria Joint Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Guadalupe and Santa Maria.
Where do Orcutt kids go to high school?
Ernest Righetti High in Santa Maria, with 2,416 students.
What is Orcutt’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 Orcutt spend per student?
$15,054 in Orcutt 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.
Are there private schools in Orcutt?
Yes: St. Joseph High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 506 students) and Pacific Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 392 students). Orcutt also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Orcutt families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Orcutt → 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.