Minerva Club of Santa Maria · Photo: ELEAZARCH · CC BY-SA 4.0Santa Maria’s public schools score below 81% of California districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Santa Maria’s districts is 16%, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Santa Maria, 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.
Santa Maria’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 575 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Santa Maria’s, its schools beat 2%, lower than their 19% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% 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
Santa Maria Joint Union High spends $19,746 per student and Santa Maria-Bonita Elementary $19,642, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Valley Christian Academy (private), St. Mary of the Assumption School (private) and Eagles Christian Academy (private) are in town. 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 Santa Maria’s grade
C−: better than 19% of California school districts, #829 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 Santa Maria, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Santa Maria · depends on your address
Santa Maria High
Grades 9–12 · 3,143 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Pioneer Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 3,080 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Santa Maria · depends on your address
Santa Maria High
Grades 9–12 · 3,143 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Pioneer Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 3,080 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Santa Maria · depends on your address
Santa Maria High
Grades 9–12 · 3,143 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Pioneer Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 3,080 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Santa Maria · depends on your address
Santa Maria High
Grades 9–12 · 3,143 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Pioneer Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 3,080 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Santa Maria runs its own schools through grade 8 (Santa Maria-Bonita Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, shared with Guadalupe. Parts of Santa Maria (13% of its land) are served by Orcutt Union Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Santa Maria
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Santa Maria vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Santa Maria’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria | C− | Santa Maria-Bonita Elementary K–8 · Santa Maria Joint Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Santa Maria
23 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 (Trivium Charter).
Questions about Santa Maria’s schools
Are Santa Maria’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Santa Maria children attend score below 81% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #829 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 2%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Santa Maria in?
Two districts: Santa Maria-Bonita Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Santa Maria Joint Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Guadalupe.
Where do Santa Maria kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Santa Maria High and Pioneer Valley High.
What is Santa Maria’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 Santa Maria spend per student?
$19,746 in Santa Maria Joint Union High School District and $19,642 in Santa Maria-Bonita Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Santa Maria?
Yes: Valley Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 373 students), St. Mary of the Assumption School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 227 students) and Eagles Christian Academy (religious, grades 1–12, 23 students).
Parents talk
What Santa Maria families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Santa Maria → 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.