Average
#4964 of 9,539 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
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,424
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#4,964 of 9,539
In Santa Maria
#15 of 30
public schools
In district
#3 of 4
Santa Maria Joint Union High
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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Ernest Righetti High
High School in Santa Maria · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Joseph High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Alice Shaw Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ernest Righetti High
Ernest Righetti High is a public high school in Santa Maria, CA, part of Santa Maria Joint Union High. Ernest Righetti High serves approximately 2,424 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Ernest Righetti High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,964 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Ernest Righetti High show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Ernest Righetti High is a large school: 2,424 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.
Ernest Righetti High runs 20.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Ernest Righetti High — Students at Ernest Righetti High score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 26 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: 5.2/10.
How Ernest Righetti High Compares
See how Ernest Righetti High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Delta High (rated 5.9/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 0.3 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 | 4.9 |
| 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 | 7.3 |
| Lakeview Junior High Orcutt | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Family Partnership Charter Santa Maria | 1.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/Santa Maria Santa Maria | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Orcutt | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Orcutt Junior High Orcutt | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Orcutt Academy Charter Orcutt | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria | 3.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Trivium Charter Lompoc | 3.4 mi | 5.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bella Vista High Fair Oaks, CA | 6.3 |
| Burroughs High Ridgecrest, CA | 6.3 |
| Chino High Chino, CA | 6.3 |
| Everett Alvarez High Salinas, CA | 6.3 |
| Hesperia High Hesperia, CA | 6.3 |
| Jurupa Valley High Jurupa Valley, CA | 6.3 |
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 ranks #4,964 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Ernest Righetti High's MySchoolScout rating?
Ernest Righetti High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ernest Righetti High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ernest Righetti High has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.0%
- Phone
- (805) 937-2051
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
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
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