Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Santa Margarita

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Downtown Santa MargaritaPhoto: bill mulder from santa margarita, usa · CC BY 2.0
B+
Schools in Santa Margarita · Atascadero Unified School District

Santa Margarita’s public schools outscore 70% of California districts

On the state math tests, 39% of Santa Margarita’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Santa Margarita, 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.

K–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
51%
▲ 4 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
39%
▲ 6 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90%
▲ 4 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.9K
▼ 25% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
21.7
CA 21.6
Schools in town
1
2,537 students on the public path
In brief

Santa Margarita’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 51% and math 39% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,853 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Santa Margarita’s grade

B+ Test scoresC+ Graduation

B+: better than 70% of California school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 70%
Lower resultsHigher results
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,097 test results and a graduating class of 360 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Santa Margarita’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,098 in math, 2,096 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–5Santa Margarita ElementaryAtascadero Unified School DistrictNo scores
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–12Atascadero Highin AtascaderoNo scores

Santa Margarita’s public schools are run by Atascadero Unified School District, which also serves Atascadero. 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.

Atascadero Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 12 schools · 4,355 students · 21.7 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$15,853CA $21,206 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading51%
State average 46.7% · 2096 students tested
Math39%
State average 33.1% · 2098 students tested

Santa Margarita vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Santa MargaritaB+Atascadero Unified

Every school in Santa Margarita

4 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 Santa Margaritaby address
Santa Margarita Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
297 students26:1Rate it →
Also serving Santa Margaritain other towns
Fine Arts Academy
Middle · Grades 4–8 · Atascadero
238 students21:1Rate it →
Atascadero Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Atascadero
845 students21:1Rate it →
Atascadero High
High · Grades 9–12 · Atascadero
1,157 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Santa Margarita’s schools

Are Santa Margarita’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Santa Margarita children attend outscore 70% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Santa Margarita in?

Atascadero Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 4,355 students in 12 schools (2024–25).

Where do Santa Margarita kids go to high school?

Atascadero High in Atascadero, with 1,157 students.

What is Santa Margarita’s graduation rate?

90% of the class of 2023 in Atascadero Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Santa Margarita spend per student?

$15,853 in Atascadero Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Santa Margarita families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Santa Margarita → 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.