Ernest Righetti High School is a public comprehensive secondary school in Santa Maria, California, United States, serving students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. Righetti is a fully accredited, two-time California Distinguished School, awarded in 2002 and 2009.
Serving 2,416 students in grades 9-12, Ernest Righetti High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 18% (which is lower than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 53% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 21:1 is equal to the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,416 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
- Minority Enrollment: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 94% (Top 30% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 18% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 53% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 17% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Ernest Righetti High's attendance zone covers the entire Santa Maria school district, encompassing approximately 524.2 square miles. The typical drive to the school ranges from 20 to 30 minutes, with an average distance of 15.4 miles to the edge of the zone and a maximum distance of 24.5 miles.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
School Overview
Ernest Righetti High School's student population of 2,416 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 115 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
2,416 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
115 teachers
Showing 2014–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1963
School Calendar
Campus Size
36 acres
School Motto
Greatness Starts Here!
School Rankings
Ernest Righetti High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Ernest Righetti High School is 0.41, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#4901 out of 9523 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
34%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
47%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
17%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
Showing 2014–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
1%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
3%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
75%
56%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
1%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
18%
20%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
2%
6%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
94%
86.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)27.1%
27.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
50%
54%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
8%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Purple
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ernest Righetti High School's ranking?
Ernest Righetti High School is ranked #4901 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
What schools are Ernest Righetti High School often compared to?
Ernest Righetti High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Santa Maria High School, Orcutt Academy Charter, Pioneer Valley High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
18% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 53% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Ernest Righetti High School?
The graduation rate of Ernest Righetti High School is 94%, which is higher than the California state average of 86.2%.
How many students attend Ernest Righetti High School?
2,416 students attend Ernest Righetti High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
75% of Ernest Righetti High School students are Hispanic, 18% of students are White, 3% of students are Asian, 2% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Ernest Righetti High School?
Ernest Righetti High School has a student ration of 21:1, which is equal to the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Ernest Righetti High School offer ?
Ernest Righetti High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Ernest Righetti High School part of?
Ernest Righetti High School is part of Santa Maria Joint Union High School District.
School Reviews
Review Ernest Righetti High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Can Your Child Get Into School Clubs and Activities?
Discover whether your child can access advertised school clubs and activities, including enrollment limits, tryouts, fees, transportation, scheduling conflicts, and essential questions parents should ask before choosing schools today.
Who Supervises Students When Their Teacher Is Out?
Discover who supervises students when regular teachers are absent, how schools arrange classroom coverage, what qualifications substitutes need, and which questions parents should ask about safety and learning continuity.
When the School Nurse Isn't There: Parent Guide
Learn what happens when school nurses are absent, how public schools handle medications and emergencies, and which essential questions parents should ask to protect their children's health and safety daily.
