Average
#7296 of 9,533 schools in CA
Delta High
High School · Santa Maria Joint Union High
4893 Bethany Ln., Santa Maria, CA 93455
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Maria
#17 of 30
public schools
California high schools
#1,555 of 1,892
In district
#3 of 4
Santa Maria Joint Union High
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Delta High
Delta High is an alternative high school located in Santa Maria, California, serving students in grades 9 through 12. With a student body of 338 and a student-to-teacher ratio of 26 to 1, Delta High offers personalized attention while maintaining a supportive learning environment. The school’s focus on individualized education is reflected in its alternative school designation, catering to diverse academic needs.
Delta High’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 2.7 out of 10, with the state ranking placing it around the 6th percentile among California schools. Academically, proficiency levels are lower than average, with only 8% reaching proficiency in ELA/Reading and no students meeting math proficiency benchmarks. Despite these challenges, Delta High is dedicated to fostering student development and growth, offering tailored support systems for its diverse student population.
Delta High is situated in a mid-size suburb within Santa Maria, providing a unique community setting that encourages engagement between the school and local area.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Delta High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Delta High is 26:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Delta High — Students at Delta High score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.
How Delta High Compares
See how Delta High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 0.5% (2019) to 0% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 6% (2019) to 9.22% (2024).
Location
4893 Bethany Ln., Santa Maria, CA 93455
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Delta High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ernest Righetti High (rated 6.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt | 0.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Orcutt Junior High Orcutt | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Orcutt Academy Charter Orcutt | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/Santa Maria Santa Maria | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Family Partnership Charter Santa Maria | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Orcutt | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| ST LOUIS DE MONTFORT Santa Maria | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| St. Louis de Montfort Elementary Santa Maria | 1.0 mi | — |
| Ralph Dunlap Elementary Orcutt | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Orcutt School for Independent Study Orcutt | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Santa Maria | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Lakeview Junior High Orcutt | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Maria | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria | 2.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Arellanes Junior High Santa Maria | 3.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria | 3.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary Santa Maria | 4.2 mi | 5.6 |
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 Delta 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 |
|---|---|
| Calipatria High Calipatria, CA | 5.2 |
| Canyon Ridge High Hesperia, CA | 5.2 |
| ICEF View Park Preparatory High Los Angeles, CA | 5.2 |
| Insight School of California Simi Valley, CA | 5.2 |
| New Technology High Napa, CA | 5.2 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-Acad of Scientific Explr (ASE) San Fernando, CA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Delta High
What grades does Delta High serve?
Delta High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Delta High?
Delta High has an enrollment of approximately 338 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Delta High?
The student-teacher ratio at Delta High is 26:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Delta High rank in CA?
Delta High is ranked #7296 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Delta High's MySchoolScout rating?
Delta High has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Delta High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Delta High has 0.2% math proficiency and 8.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Delta High a charter school?
No, Delta High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Delta High a Title I school?
No, Delta High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Delta High?
84.6% of students at Delta 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.
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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 338
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.6%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 937-6356
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Maria Joint Union High- District Enrollment
- 8,985
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,168
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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