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Very Good

#2355 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 25% in state

Cuyama Valley High

High School · Cuyama Joint Unified

2300 Highway 166, New Cuyama, CA 93254

Enrollment

63

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Cuyama

#2 of 2

public schools

California high schools

#418 of 1,892

In district

#2 of 2

Cuyama Joint Unified

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Cuyama Valley High

Cuyama Valley High is a small high school located in the remote rural area of New Cuyama, California. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 63 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers. While the academic performance metrics show room for improvement—36% proficiency in ELA/Reading and only 16% in Math—the close-knit community fosters personal attention and support for each student.

Cuyama Valley High is part of Santa Barbara County, situated along Highway 166 where resources might be limited but the spirit of the community remains strong. The school's setting offers a unique rural experience that encourages students to build tight bonds with their peers and teachers.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 63 students, Cuyama Valley High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Cuyama Valley High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.7%
Math vs. State Avg-21.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.2 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,064

Cuyama Valley High — Students at Cuyama Valley High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.8%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 35.8%
School
State
51.5%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
6.7%
ELA
46.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.

How Cuyama Valley High Compares

See how Cuyama Valley High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
75th percentile in CA
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

2300 Highway 166, New Cuyama, CA 93254

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cuyama Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Maricopa High (rated 8.3/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Maricopa), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MIDLAND SCHOOL CORPORATION (rated 7.1/10, 27.6 miles away, in nearby Los Olivos), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Taft Union High (rated 6.4/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Taft), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New Cuyama, see our New Cuyama schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Cuyama Elementary New Cuyama 3.8 mi 7.6
California Connections Academy Central Coast San Juan Capistrano 3.8 mi 2.3
Midway Elementary Fellows 17.4 mi 9.5
Parkview Elementary Taft 17.6 mi 5.3
Conley Elementary Taft 17.7 mi 4.5
Heartland Charter Maricopa 17.1 mi 4.3
Blue Ridge Academy San Dimas 17.1 mi 4.5
Maricopa Elementary Maricopa 17.1 mi 6.0
Maricopa High Maricopa 17.1 mi 8.3
Maricopa Middle Maricopa 17.1 mi 5.4
Buena Vista High (Continuation) Taft 18.5 mi 4.7
Taft Union High Taft 18.5 mi 6.4
Taft Primary Taft 18.6 mi 3.3
Roosevelt Elementary Taft 18.7 mi 5.9
Lincoln Junior High Taft 18.7 mi 4.6
Jefferson Elementary Taft 19.0 mi 2.6
McKittrick Elementary Mckittrick 25.5 mi 4.8
THE FAMILY SCHOOL Los Olivos 27.4 mi 5.7
Santa Ynez Valley Family School Los Olivos 27.6 mi
MIDLAND SCHOOL CORPORATION Los Olivos 27.6 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93254 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,603

Median Home Value

$216,400

Population

794

College Educated

30.7%

Homeownership

83.6%

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

46.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cuyama Valley High has a median household income of $53,603. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,400. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Coleville High Coleville, CA 7.4
Florence E. Rata Fresno, CA 7.4
Harold McAlister High (Opportunity) Los Angeles, CA 7.4
THE MARIN SCHOOL San Rafael, CA 7.4
CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY FCE Los Angeles, CA 7.5
COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO San Diego, CA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cuyama Valley High

What grades does Cuyama Valley High serve?

Cuyama Valley High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Cuyama Valley High?

Cuyama Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cuyama Valley High?

The student-teacher ratio at Cuyama Valley High is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cuyama Valley High rank in CA?

Cuyama Valley High is ranked #2355 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Cuyama Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?

Cuyama Valley High has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Cuyama Valley High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cuyama Valley High has 15.8% math proficiency and 35.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cuyama Valley High a charter school?

No, Cuyama Valley High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cuyama Valley High a Title I school?

No, Cuyama Valley High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cuyama Valley High?

84.1% of students at Cuyama Valley 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

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (281/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cuyama Joint Unified
District Enrollment
171
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,027
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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