Space Launch Complex 10 · Photo: U.S. Air Force · Public domainVandenberg AFB’s public schools score below 56% of California districts on tests and graduation
In Vandenberg AFB, 19% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Vandenberg AFB, 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 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.
Vandenberg AFB’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 570 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Vandenberg AFB’s, its schools beat 36%, lower than their 44% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 19% 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
Santa Maria Joint Union High spends $19,746 per student and Lompoc Unified $16,502, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Manzanita Public Charter is 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 Vandenberg AFB’s grade
C+: better than 44% of California school districts, #561 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 Vandenberg AFB, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Vandenberg AFB
Crestview Elementary
Grades K–6 · 373 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Vandenberg Air Force Base
1st grade in Vandenberg AFB
Crestview Elementary
Grades K–6 · 373 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Vandenberg Air Force Base
2nd grade in Vandenberg AFB
Crestview Elementary
Grades K–6 · 373 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Vandenberg Air Force Base
3rd grade in Vandenberg AFB
Crestview Elementary
Grades K–6 · 373 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Vandenberg Air Force Base
4th grade in Vandenberg AFB
Crestview Elementary
Grades K–6 · 373 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Vandenberg Air Force Base
5th grade in Vandenberg AFB
Crestview Elementary
Grades K–6 · 373 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Vandenberg Air Force Base
6th grade in Vandenberg AFB
Crestview Elementary
Grades K–6 · 373 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Vandenberg Air Force Base
7th grade in Vandenberg AFB
Vandenberg Middle
Grades 7–8 · 565 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Vandenberg Air Force Base
8th grade in Vandenberg AFB
Vandenberg Middle
Grades 7–8 · 565 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg AFB runs its own schools through grade 12 (Lompoc Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, shared with Guadalupe and Santa Maria. Its high school is in Santa Maria. Parts of Vandenberg AFB (14% of its land) are served by Orcutt Union Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Vandenberg AFB
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
Vandenberg AFB vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Vandenberg AFB’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Vandenberg AFB | C+ | Lompoc Unified K–12 · Santa Maria Joint Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Vandenberg AFB
8 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 Vandenberg AFB’s schools
Are Vandenberg AFB’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Vandenberg AFB children attend score below 56% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #561 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Vandenberg AFB in?
Two districts: Lompoc Unified 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 Vandenberg AFB kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Santa Maria High, Pioneer Valley High, Ernest Righetti High, Lompoc High and Cabrillo High.
What is Vandenberg AFB’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 Vandenberg AFB spend per student?
$19,746 in Santa Maria Joint Union High School District and $16,502 in Lompoc Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Vandenberg AFB families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Vandenberg AFB → 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.