Top Rankings
Santa Maria Joint Union High School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 8,984 students in Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in Santa Maria Joint Union High School District have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Santa Maria Joint Union High School District have a Graduation Rate of 93%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Pioneer Valley High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
4 Schools
2,812 Schools
# Students
8,984 Students
2,139,958 Students
# Teachers
420 Teachers
100,748 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, which is ranked #1420 of all 1,907 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 93% has increased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1391 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
13%
29%
Graduation Rate
93%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.20
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
2%
11%
% Hispanic
89%
56%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
7%
22%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,913 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,975. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,471 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$152 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$148 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,913
$19,975
Spending / Student
$16,471
$18,396
Best Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ernest Righetti High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
941 East Foster Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-2051
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-2051
Gr: 9-12 | 2,424 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #22.
Pioneer Valley High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
675 Panther Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-1305
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-1305
Gr: 9-12 | 3,112 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #33.
Santa Maria High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
901 South Broadway
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 925-2567
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 925-2567
Gr: 9-12 | 3,110 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #44.
Delta High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4893 Bethany Ln.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-6356
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-6356
Gr: 9-12 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Recent Articles
Understanding School Safety Policies in 2026
Learn how school safety policies are evolving in 2026, including mental health support, AI monitoring, emergency planning, and parent rights.
How to Support Your Child’s Mental Health at School
Practical guidance for parents and educators on supporting child mental health during the school year, with expert strategies and 2026 insights.
What a National Blue Ribbon of Distinction Means in 2026
Understand what a National Blue Ribbon of Distinction means, how schools earn it, and why it matters for academic quality in 2026.
