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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

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 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.7%
Math vs. State Avg-23.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,410

Arellanes Junior High — Students at Arellanes Junior High score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 28.3%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
28%
ELA
36%
2024
Math
10.7%
ELA
25.7%

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.

Overall Score
4.5/10
13th percentile in CA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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