Below Average
#8304 of 9,533 schools in CA
Arellanes Junior High
Middle School · Santa Maria-Bonita
1890 Sandalwood Dr., Santa Maria, CA 93455
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
4.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
4.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Maria
#24 of 30
public schools
California middle schools
#1,224 of 1,349
In district
#16 of 21
Santa Maria-Bonita
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Arellanes Junior High
Arellanes Junior High is a regular public middle school located in Santa Maria, California, situated in a mid-size suburb. The school serves seventh and eighth graders with an enrollment of 622 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1, ensuring that each student receives the necessary attention from teachers. Arellanes Junior High has 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
The academic performance at Arellanes Junior High shows room for improvement with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #8965 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 6th percentile. The school’s Academic Score is 2.3/10, reflecting that only 28% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 15% are proficient or above in Math. While these numbers indicate areas where academic growth is needed, the community around Arellanes Junior High is supportive, with families and educators working together to enhance student learning experiences.
The school's setting within a mid-size suburb offers students a mix of urban amenities and suburban tranquility, fostering a well-rounded environment for young adolescents.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Arellanes Junior High — Students at Arellanes Junior High score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.8/10.
How Arellanes Junior High Compares
See how Arellanes Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 10.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 25.72% (2024).
Location
1890 Sandalwood Dr., Santa Maria, CA 93455
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Arellanes Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lakeview Junior High (rated 5.0/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Orcutt), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Orcutt Junior High (rated 4.9/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Orcutt), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria | 0.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Liberty Elementary Santa Maria | 2.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary Santa Maria | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Lakeview Junior High Orcutt | 2.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt | 2.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Orcutt Junior High Orcutt | 3.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Orcutt Academy Charter Orcutt | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria | 3.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria | 3.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Delta High Santa Maria | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt | 3.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria | 3.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt | 3.5 mi | 5.1 |
| PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Maria | 3.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Santa Maria High Santa Maria | 4.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria | 4.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Bonita Elementary Santa Maria | 4.6 mi | 4.6 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Santa Maria | 3.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria | 4.1 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93455 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,501
Median Home Value
$572,700
Median Rent
$2,267/mo
Population
44,350
College Educated
31.6%
Homeownership
77.8%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Arellanes Junior High has a median household income of $108,501. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $572,700, with a median rent of $2,267/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Franklin Intermediate Colma, CA | 4.5 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Watsonville, CA | 4.5 |
| EV Cain Middle Auburn, CA | 4.5 |
| Firebaugh Middle Firebaugh, CA | 4.5 |
| Gavilan View Middle Salinas, CA | 4.5 |
| Norman L. Sullivan Middle Bonsall, CA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Arellanes Junior High
What grades does Arellanes Junior High serve?
Arellanes Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Arellanes Junior High?
Arellanes Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 622 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Arellanes Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Arellanes Junior High is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Arellanes Junior High rank in CA?
Arellanes Junior High is ranked #8304 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Arellanes Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Arellanes Junior High has a composite rating of 4.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Arellanes Junior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arellanes Junior High has 15.0% math proficiency and 28.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Arellanes Junior High a charter school?
No, Arellanes Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Arellanes Junior High a Title I school?
No, Arellanes Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arellanes Junior High?
89.7% of students at Arellanes Junior High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,611/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Maria). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 622
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 361-6820
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Maria-Bonita- District Enrollment
- 17,165
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,207
- District Rank
- #16 of 21
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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