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Average

#5182 of 9,533 schools in CA

Ernest Righetti High

High School · Santa Maria Joint Union High

941 East Foster Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93455

Enrollment

2,424

Student-Teacher

20.2:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Maria

#6 of 30

public schools

California high schools

#1,087 of 1,892

In district

#1 of 4

Santa Maria Joint Union High

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Ernest Righetti High

Ernest Righetti High serves 2,424 students in grades 9-12 in Santa Maria, California, operating as a large comprehensive public high school in Santa Barbara County. With 120 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1, providing a typical high school environment for its sizable student body. Academically, Ernest Righetti High earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks in the 64th percentile statewide, placing it at #3465 among California's 9566 schools.

The school shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 62% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 20% of students demonstrating proficiency or above, indicating the school is focusing on strengthening STEM instruction and support. The school draws from a relatively affluent community where the median household income reaches $105,838 and median home values sit at $529,600.

About 30% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the area maintains a low poverty rate of 6.2%. Ernest Righetti High is situated in a mid-size suburban setting that serves the diverse needs of Santa Maria's growing population of over 44,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

Ernest Righetti High is a large school with 2,424 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Ernest Righetti High is 20.2:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.6%
Math vs. State Avg-7.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,169

Ernest Righetti High — Students at Ernest Righetti High score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 61.7%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 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
23%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
20.4%
ELA
61.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Ernest Righetti High Compares

See how Ernest Righetti High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
46th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
120 teachers

Location

941 East Foster Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93455

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ernest Righetti High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Delta High (rated 5.2/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Santa Maria 0.3 mi 5.8
Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt 0.5 mi 3.4
PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Maria 0.9 mi 5.0
Ralph Dunlap Elementary Orcutt 1.1 mi 3.2
Orcutt School for Independent Study Orcutt 1.1 mi 7.2
Lakeview Junior High Orcutt 1.0 mi 5.0
Family Partnership Charter Santa Maria 1.3 mi 7.1
Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt 1.2 mi 5.1
Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/Santa Maria Santa Maria 1.4 mi 6.0
Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt 1.3 mi 7.6
ST LOUIS DE MONTFORT Santa Maria 1.4 mi 5.6
St. Louis de Montfort Elementary Santa Maria 1.4 mi
Delta High Santa Maria 1.4 mi 5.2
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria 1.6 mi 5.3
Pine Grove Elementary Orcutt 1.9 mi 6.6
Orcutt Junior High Orcutt 1.9 mi 4.9
Orcutt Academy Charter Orcutt 1.9 mi 7.1
Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria 3.1 mi 5.7
Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria 3.4 mi 4.5
Trivium Charter Lompoc 3.4 mi 4.9

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 Ernest Righetti 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
Helix High La Mesa, CA 6.2
Lakeside High Lake Elsinore, CA 6.2
Mission Hills High San Marcos, CA 6.2
Oceanside High Oceanside, CA 6.2
Pacheco High Los Banos, CA 6.2
Phineas Banning Senior High Wilmington, CA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ernest Righetti High

What grades does Ernest Righetti High serve?

Ernest Righetti High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ernest Righetti High?

Ernest Righetti High has an enrollment of approximately 2,424 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ernest Righetti High?

The student-teacher ratio at Ernest Righetti High is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ernest Righetti High rank in CA?

Ernest Righetti High is ranked #5182 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Ernest Righetti High's MySchoolScout rating?

Ernest Righetti High has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Ernest Righetti High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ernest Righetti High has 21.3% math proficiency and 61.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ernest Righetti High a charter school?

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

Is Ernest Righetti High a Title I school?

No, Ernest Righetti High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ernest Righetti High?

60.6% of students at Ernest Righetti 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
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,611/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Maria). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,424
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
120
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Maria Joint Union High
District Enrollment
8,985
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,168
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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