Top 10 Best Santa Maria Public Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 41 public schools serving 31,419 students in Santa Maria, CA (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,726 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Santa Maria, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Santa Maria, CA are Orcutt Charter, Joe Nightingale Elementary School and Pine Grove Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Maria, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Santa Maria have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Santa Maria, CA Public Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Orcutt Charter
Charter School
Math: 45-49% | Reading: 80-84%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
500 Dyer St.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8900
Grades: K-12
| 764 students
Rank: #22.
Joe Nightingale Elementary School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
255 Winter Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8650
Grades: K-6
| 702 students
Rank: #33.
Pine Grove Elementary School
Math: 47% | Reading: 59%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1050 E. Rice Ranch Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8800
Grades: K-6
| 488 students
Rank: #44.
Orcutt Junior High School
Math: 45% | Reading: 54%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
608 Pinal St.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8700
Grades: 7-8
| 491 students
Rank: #55.
Patterson Road Elementary School
Math: 43% | Reading: 54%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 Patterson Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8750
Grades: K-6
| 598 students
Rank: #66.
Ralph Dunlap Elementary School
Math: 43% | Reading: 53%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1220 Oak Knoll Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8500
Grades: K-6
| 469 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Alice Shaw Elementary School
Math: 40% | Reading: 52%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
759 Dahlia Pl.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8850
Grades: K-6
| 485 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Lakeview Junior High School
Math: 40% | Reading: 52%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3700 Orcutt Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8600
Grades: 7-8
| 469 students
Rank: #99.
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary School
Math: 44% | Reading: 49%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
930 W. Rancho Verde
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7680
Grades: K-6
| 850 students
Rank: #1010.
Benjamin Foxen Elementary School
Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4949 Foxen Canyon Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 937-1148
Grades: K-8
| 177 students
Rank: #1111.
Pioneer Valley High School
Math: 28% | Reading: 61%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
675 Panther Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-1305
Grades: 9-12
| 3,156 students
Rank: #1212.
Ernest Righetti High School
Math: 23% | Reading: 62%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
941 E. Foster Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-2051
Grades: 9-12
| 2,520 students
Rank: #1313.
Family Partnership Charter
Charter School
Math: 25-29% | Reading: 52%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1157 E. Clark Ave. Ste. H
Santa Maria, CA 93456
(805) 348-3333
Grades: K-12
| 405 students
Rank: #1414.
Jimenez Roberto And Dr. Francisco Elementary School
Math: 36% | Reading: 39%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1970 S. Biscayne St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-4340
Grades: K-8
| 1,020 students
Rank: #1515.
Tunnell (Martin Luther) Elementary School
Math: 31% | Reading: 43%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1248 E. Dena Way
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7940
Grades: K-6
| 808 students
Rank: #1616.
Kunst (Tommie) Junior High School
Math: 30% | Reading: 42%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
930 Hidden Pines Way
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-5800
Grades: 7-8
| 992 students
Rank: #1717.
Taylor (Ida Redmond) Elementary School
Math: 28% | Reading: 41%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1921 N. Carlotti Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6250
Grades: K-6
| 848 students
Rank: #1818.
Santa Maria High School
Math: 24% | Reading: 44%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
901 S. Brd.way
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 925-2567
Grades: 9-12
| 3,186 students
Rank: #1919.
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary School
Math: 34% | Reading: 32%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
804 W. Liberty St.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-4625
Grades: K-6
| 646 students
Rank: #2020.
Rice (William) Elementary School
Math: 31% | Reading: 35%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
700 E. Vickie Ave.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7740
Grades: K-6
| 843 students
Rank: #2121.
Olive Grove Charter - Santa Barbara
Charter School
Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1933 Cliff Dr., Ste.11
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 623-1111
Grades: K-12
| 109 students
Rank: #2222.
Arellanes Junior High School
Math: 28% | Reading: 36%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1890 Sandalwood Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 361-6820
Grades: 7-8
| 563 students
Rank: #2323.
Alvin Elementary School
Math: 27% | Reading: 34%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
301 E. Alvin Ave.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6760
Grades: K-6
| 930 students
Rank: #2424.
Olive Grove Charter - Buellton
Charter School
Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
240 E. Highway 246, Ste. 100
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 623-1111
Grades: K-12
| 42 students
Rank: #2525.
Battles (Washington) Elementary School
Math: 25% | Reading: 32%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
605 E. Battles Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6880
Grades: K-6
| 690 students
Rank: #2626.
El Camino Junior High School
Math: 24% | Reading: 32%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
219 W. El Camino
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7800
Grades: 7-8
| 769 students
Rank: #2727.
Fairlawn Elementary School
Math: 26% | Reading: 30%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
120 N. Mary Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7500
Grades: K-6
| 778 students
Rank: #2828.
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary School
Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1890 Sandalwood Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 361-6860
Grades: K-6
| 285 students
Rank: #2929.
Adam (William Laird) Elementary School
Math: 26% | Reading: 27%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
500 W. Windsor
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-6700
Grades: K-6
| 860 students
Rank: #3030.
Fesler (Isaac) Junior High School
Math: 19% | Reading: 36%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1100 E. Fesler St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7880
Grades: 7-8
| 958 students
Rank: #3131.
Miller (Isaac) Elementary School
Math: 22% | Reading: 30%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
410 E. Camino Colegio
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7560
Grades: K-6
| 889 students
Rank: #3232.
Bonita Elementary School
Math: 23% | Reading: 25%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2715 W. Main St.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-8280
Grades: K-6
| 542 students
Rank: #3333.
Olive Grove Charter - Lompoc
Charter School
Math: ≤10% | Reading: 35-39%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
820 N. H St. Ste.s Bcd
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 623-1111
Grades: K-12
| 98 students
Rank: #3434.
Liberty Elementary School
Math: 17% | Reading: 28%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 W. Sonya Ln.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-4530
Grades: K-6
| 884 students
Rank: #3535.
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary School
Math: 12% | Reading: 22%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1120 W. Harding St.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7620
Grades: K-6
| 844 students
Show 6 more public schools in Santa Maria, CA (out of 41 total schools)
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[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Santa Maria, California

Santa Maria, California Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
625 S. Mcclelland
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 348-3333
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
610 Pinal St
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8550
Grades: K-6
| 488 students
402 Farnel Rd., Ste. M
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 964-4710
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Santa Maria, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Santa Maria, CA include Orcutt Charter, Joe Nightingale Elementary School and Pine Grove Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Santa Maria, CA?
41 public schools are located in Santa Maria, CA.
What percentage of students in Santa Maria, CA go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Santa Maria, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Maria, CA?
Santa Maria, CA public schools minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

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