Skip to main content

Average

#4892 of 9,533 schools in CA

Nipomo High

High School · Lucia Mar Unified

525 North Thompson Rd., Nipomo, CA 93444

Enrollment

867

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nipomo

#2 of 5

public schools

California high schools

#1,026 of 1,892

In district

#13 of 19

Lucia Mar Unified

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Nipomo High

Nipomo High serves grades 9 through 12 in the rural community of Nipomo, located in San Luis Obispo County. The school enrolls 867 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.8 to 1, supported by 46 full-time equivalent teachers. Set near town in a rural area, Nipomo High draws from a close-knit regional community.

Academically, the school is working with room for growth. ELA and reading proficiency sits at 48% of students meeting or exceeding standards across grade levels, while mathematics proficiency is at 21%. The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 4.4 out of 10 reflects these current academic performance levels, with the school ranking in the 34th percentile among California schools.

For families considering Nipomo High, understanding these academic metrics is important as you evaluate whether the school's current trajectory aligns with your student's needs and your educational goals.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Nipomo 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 Progress3.5Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.7%
Math vs. State Avg-10.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation20.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,869

Nipomo High — Students at Nipomo High score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.7%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 48.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
17.5%
ELA
43.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.

How Nipomo High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in CA
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers

Location

525 North Thompson Rd., Nipomo, CA 93444

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nipomo High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Central Coast New Tech High (rated 7.2/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lopez Continuation High (rated 6.8/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Arroyo Grande), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Nipomo, see our Nipomo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Coast New Tech High Nipomo 0.1 mi 7.2
Nipomo Elementary Nipomo 1.1 mi 5.2
Dana Elementary Nipomo 1.5 mi 5.8
Lange (Dorothea) Elementary Nipomo 2.8 mi 6.0
Kunst (Tommie) Junior High Santa Maria 5.0 mi 5.5
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary Santa Maria 5.5 mi 5.8
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Santa Maria 6.0 mi 6.5
Bonita Elementary Santa Maria 6.4 mi 4.6
Mesa Middle Arroyo Grande 5.6 mi 6.7
Eagles Christian Academy Santa Maria 6.7 mi
Taylor (Ida Redmond) Elementary Santa Maria 6.3 mi 4.0
Bruce (Robert) Elementary Santa Maria 6.6 mi 5.8
Branch Elementary Arroyo Grande 6.7 mi 9.0
Rice (William) Elementary Santa Maria 6.6 mi 3.4
El Camino Junior High Santa Maria 6.8 mi 4.9
Fairlawn Elementary Santa Maria 6.9 mi 5.3
Alvin Elementary Santa Maria 6.9 mi 4.0
AGAPE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Santa Maria 7.0 mi
Pacific View Academy Arroyo Grande 6.1 mi 5.8
Lopez Continuation High Arroyo Grande 6.1 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93444 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,655

Median Home Value

$746,400

Median Rent

$2,034/mo

Population

21,495

College Educated

34.3%

Homeownership

74%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

44

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nipomo High has a median household income of $105,655. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $746,400, with a median rent of $2,034/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy Los Angeles, CA 6.3
Carpinteria Senior High Carpinteria, CA 6.3
Desert Sands Charter Lancaster, CA 6.3
Duarte High Duarte, CA 6.3
Gilbert High (Continuation) Anaheim, CA 6.3
Lakeview Leadership Academy Victorville, CA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nipomo High

What grades does Nipomo High serve?

Nipomo High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Nipomo High?

Nipomo High has an enrollment of approximately 867 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nipomo High?

The student-teacher ratio at Nipomo High is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nipomo High rank in CA?

Nipomo High is ranked #4892 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Nipomo High's MySchoolScout rating?

Nipomo High has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Nipomo High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nipomo High has 20.7% math proficiency and 48.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nipomo High a charter school?

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

Is Nipomo High a Title I school?

No, Nipomo High is not currently a Title I school.

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

71.3% of students at Nipomo 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

County Safety
Average (404/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
867
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
San Luis Obispo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lucia Mar Unified
District Enrollment
9,621
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,858
District Rank
#13 of 19

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.