Best Schools in Santa Maria, Texas
5 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Santa Maria?
Use this page to compare every school in Santa Maria by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Tony Gonzalez EL
Elementary · Santa Maria ISD. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Santa Maria Middle
Middle · Santa Maria ISD. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Santa Maria H S
High · Santa Maria ISD. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Santa Maria for 2026 are Tony Gonzalez EL (8.4/10), Santa Maria Middle (7.8/10), and Santa Maria H S (5.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +14.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Santa Maria schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Santa Maria
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tony Gonzalez EL | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Santa Maria Middle | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Santa Maria H S | 5.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.2/10
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 4%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 100%
67% of schools rated 7+
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Santa Maria compares
Texas rank
#173 of 654
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.9
above Texas avg (6.3)
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Santa Maria, Texas
Santa Maria, Texas is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.2 out of 10, schools in Santa Maria perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Santa Maria is Tony Gonzalez EL with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Santa Maria is served by 1 school district: SANTA MARIA ISD. These districts collectively serve 540 students.
Santa Maria's community shows 4% bachelor's degree attainment. The poverty rate in the area is 31.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 233 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 121 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 176 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
| 2 | 6 students · 12th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 students · 10th–11th | — |
Schools in Santa Maria
Santa Maria, Texas · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Population
600
College Educated
4%
Homeownership
100%
Poverty Rate
31.2%
Community Profile
It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 31.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Texas
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Texas
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Santa Maria, Texas
How many schools are in Santa Maria, Texas?
Santa Maria has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Santa Maria, Texas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Santa Maria is 7.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Santa Maria, Texas?
The top-ranked school in Santa Maria on MySchoolScout is Tony Gonzalez EL with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Santa Maria, Texas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Santa Maria on MySchoolScout is Tony Gonzalez EL with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Santa Maria, Texas?
The top-ranked middle school in Santa Maria on MySchoolScout is Santa Maria Middle with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Santa Maria, Texas?
The top-ranked high school in Santa Maria on MySchoolScout is Santa Maria H S with a composite score of 5.4/10.
How many school districts serve Santa Maria, Texas?
Santa Maria is served by 1 school district: Santa Maria ISD.
What is the education level in Santa Maria, Texas?
According to Census data, 4% of adults in Santa Maria have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Santa Maria, Texas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Santa Maria is 8.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Santa Maria, Texas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Texas Education Agency, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.