Santa Maria High School vs. Ernest Righetti High School
Should I attend Santa Maria High School or Ernest Righetti High School? Visitors of our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare the two schools' rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Overview
Serving 3,186 students in grades 9-12, Santa Maria 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 12% (which is lower than the California state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 28% (which is lower than the California state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Serving 2,520 students in grades 9-12, Ernest Righetti High School ranks in the top 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 19% (which is lower than the California state average of 33%). 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 22:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the California state average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
Total Students
3,186 students
2,520 students
![This chart displays total students of Santa Maria High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays total students of Santa Maria High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_students/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-bpFTVa0.png)
![This chart displays total students of Ernest Righetti High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays total students of Ernest Righetti High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_students/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-b0LTddi.png)
% Male | % Female
50% | 50%
51% | 49%
![This chart displays gender of Santa Maria High School This chart displays gender of Santa Maria High School](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/gender/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-oNt56D.png)
![This chart displays gender of Ernest Righetti High School This chart displays gender of Ernest Righetti High School](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/gender/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-birpkli.png)
Total Classroom Teachers
146 teachers
117 teachers
![This chart displays the total teachers of Santa Maria High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the total teachers of Santa Maria High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_teachers/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-dHuxwF.png)
![This chart displays the total teachers of Ernest Righetti High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the total teachers of Ernest Righetti High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_teachers/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-b43n01V.png)
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
22:1
![This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Santa Maria High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Santa Maria High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/teacher_student_ratio/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-bxe8FN5.png)
![This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Ernest Righetti High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Ernest Righetti High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/teacher_student_ratio/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-b43n03D.png)
Test Scores
Overall Testing Rank
#7994 out of 9602 schools in CA
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
#4786 out of 9602 schools in CA
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
![This chart displays the overall school rank of Santa Maria High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the overall school rank of Santa Maria High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/overall_school_rank/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-b3TMfri.png)
![This chart displays the overall school rank of Ernest Righetti High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the overall school rank of Ernest Righetti High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/overall_school_rank/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-bjqCxvw.png)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
19%
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Santa Maria High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Santa Maria High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/math_percent/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-uDhx3B.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/math_percent/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-nhZfFG.png)
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
53%
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Santa Maria High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Santa Maria High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/rla_percent/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-uDkMIl.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/rla_percent/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-0qc2no.png)
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
9%
17%
Graduation Rate
88%
95%
![This chart displays graduation rate of Santa Maria High School and public school graduation rate of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays graduation rate of Santa Maria High School and public school graduation rate of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/graduation_rate/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-bf66Moh.png)
![This chart displays graduation rate of Ernest Righetti High School and public school graduation rate of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays graduation rate of Ernest Righetti High School and public school graduation rate of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/graduation_rate/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-pavdOf.png)
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
![This chart displays the students of Santa Maria High School by grade. This chart displays the students of Santa Maria High School by grade.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/students_by_grade/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-f7Z9e1.png)
![This chart displays the students of Ernest Righetti High School by grade. This chart displays the students of Ernest Righetti High School by grade.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/students_by_grade/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-birpkl9.png)
Grade 9 Students
830
627
Grade 10 Students
858
678
Grade 11 Students
744
632
Grade 12 Students
754
583
Students by Ethnicity
% American Indian
1%
1%
![This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Santa Maria High School and percentage of American Indian public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Santa Maria High School and percentage of American Indian public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/american_indian_ethnicity/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-bpFTVdc.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Ernest Righetti High School and percentage of American Indian public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Ernest Righetti High School and percentage of American Indian public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/american_indian_ethnicity/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-T3VEEY.png)
% Asian
1%
3%
![This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/asian_islander_ethnicity/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-CPWX5e.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/asian_islander_ethnicity/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-s4DSRp.png)
% Hispanic
96%
70%
![This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/hispanic_students_ethnicity/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-zTsDFC.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/hispanic_students_ethnicity/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-bkhUvTP.png)
% Black
n/a
2%
![This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of Black public school students in California by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of Black public school students in California by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/black_students_ethnicity/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-AZrLOw.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of Black public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of Black public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/black_students_ethnicity/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-IxW68v.png)
% White
2%
21%
![This chart displays the percentage of White students in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of White public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of White students in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of White public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/white_students_ethnicity/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-zTsDFO.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of White students in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of White public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of White students in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of White public school students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/white_students_ethnicity/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-lfZigw.png)
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
3%
![This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in California by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in California by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/two_or_more_races_students_ethnicity/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-bnPoJw1.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/two_or_more_races_students_ethnicity/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-G7ruQs.png)
Diversity Score
0.08
0.47
![This chart displays the diversity score of Santa Maria High School and the public school average diversity score of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the diversity score of Santa Maria High School and the public school average diversity score of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/diversity_score/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-bpFTVfh.png)
![This chart displays the diversity score of Ernest Righetti High School and the public school average diversity score of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the diversity score of Ernest Righetti High School and the public school average diversity score of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/diversity_score/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-b0LTdib.png)
Additional Information
Eligible for Free Lunch
71%
53%
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/freelunch_students/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-uvteAI.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/freelunch_students/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-oNt54x.png)
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
8%
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Santa Maria High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/reduced_pricelunch_students/12000/12275/santa-maria-high-school-chart-Xlqcjr.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Ernest Righetti High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/reduced_pricelunch_students/12000/12274/ernest-righetti-high-school-chart-EGCjl7.png)