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
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Cuyama Valley High — Students at Cuyama Valley High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.1%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 6.67% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 46.67% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (661) 766-2293
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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