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#6705 of 9,533 schools in CA

Santa Maria High

High School · Santa Maria Joint Union High

901 South Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454

Enrollment

3,110

Student-Teacher

21.4:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Maria

#15 of 30

public schools

California high schools

#1,437 of 1,892

In district

#2 of 4

Santa Maria Joint Union High

About Santa Maria High

Santa Maria High serves 3,110 students in grades 9-12 in Santa Maria, California, making it one of the larger high schools in Santa Barbara County. With 145 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1, providing a traditional public school environment for its diverse student body. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 43% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 14% meeting math standards.

Santa Maria High currently ranks in the 37th percentile among California high schools, indicating opportunities for continued improvement in student achievement and college readiness preparation. The school draws from a working-class community where the median household income is $80,438 and home values average $434,300. With 17% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 11.6%, the surrounding neighborhood reflects the challenges and potential of many Central Coast communities.

Located on South Broadway in the heart of Santa Maria, this comprehensive high school serves as an important educational hub in this mid-size city, providing secondary education opportunities for students from various socioeconomic backgrounds in the Santa Barbara County region.

What's said publicly about Santa Maria High

Sources: School's website Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

Santa Maria High School (SMHS) is a public comprehensive high school located in Santa Maria, California 2 . Established in 1892, it is recognized as the second-oldest high school in California still operating on its original site 1 . The school is part of the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, which was founded on June 6, 1893 2 . SMHS is situated in the Santa Maria Valley, an agricultural region on California’s Central Coast 1 . The school offers tutoring services for students, including support for English Language Development (ELD) learners 1 . Recent activities include academic awards ceremonies, theater productions, and community events such as the Day of Hope coin collection, which raised over $1,000 1 . The school also participates in spirit weeks and honors veterans and Hispanic Heritage Month 1 .
Sources (2)
  1. www.santamariahighschool.org
  2. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Santa Maria High is a large school with 3,110 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 Santa Maria High is 21.4:1, 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 Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.4%
Math vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.5 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,169

Santa Maria High — Students at Santa Maria High score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.1%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 43.6%
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
24%
ELA
44%
2024
Math
13.7%
ELA
43.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.9/10.

How Santa Maria High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in CA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
145 teachers

Location

901 South Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Maria High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bruce (Robert) Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Miller (Isaac) Elementary Santa Maria 0.4 mi 5.7
Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria 0.5 mi 4.5
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria 0.6 mi 5.6
Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria 0.9 mi 4.5
AGAPE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Santa Maria 1.0 mi
Fairlawn Elementary Santa Maria 1.0 mi 5.3
Trivium Charter Lompoc 1.0 mi 4.9
El Camino Junior High Santa Maria 1.2 mi 4.9
Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria 1.2 mi 5.7
Alvin Elementary Santa Maria 1.3 mi 4.0
Bruce (Robert) Elementary Santa Maria 1.3 mi 5.8
Eagles Christian Academy Santa Maria 1.3 mi
Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary Santa Maria 1.4 mi 5.6
Fesler (Isaac) Junior High Santa Maria 1.4 mi 4.4
Liberty Elementary Santa Maria 1.4 mi 5.0
Rice (William) Elementary Santa Maria 1.8 mi 3.4
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Santa Maria 1.9 mi 6.5
Tunnell (Martin Luther) Elementary Santa Maria 2.0 mi 4.1
Taylor (Ida Redmond) Elementary Santa Maria 2.4 mi 4.0
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary Santa Maria 2.5 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93454 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,178

Median Home Value

$477,600

Median Rent

$1,750/mo

Population

41,710

College Educated

17.8%

Homeownership

53.1%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

31.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Santa Maria High has a median household income of $84,178. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $477,600, with a median rent of $1,750/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Arlington High Riverside, CA 5.5
Five Keys Independence HS (SF Sheriff's) San Francisco, CA 5.5
Hueneme High Oxnard, CA 5.5
Monterey Trail High Elk Grove, CA 5.5
Orange Glen High Escondido, CA 5.5
Perris High Perris, CA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Maria High

What grades does Santa Maria High serve?

Santa Maria High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Santa Maria High?

Santa Maria High has an enrollment of approximately 3,110 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Maria High?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Maria High is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Santa Maria High rank in CA?

Santa Maria High is ranked #6705 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Santa Maria High's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Maria High has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Santa Maria High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Maria High has 17.1% math proficiency and 43.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Santa Maria High a charter school?

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

Is Santa Maria High a Title I school?

No, Santa Maria High is not currently a Title I school.

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

81.4% of students at Santa Maria 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
84 Very Walkable
Bike Score
62 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
3,110
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
145
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
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
#2 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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