Average
#1443 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Valley Christian Academy
School
2970 SANTA MARIA WAY, Santa Maria, CA 93455
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 30 schools in Santa Maria. Learn more
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Santa Maria
#3 of 4
public schools
California schools
#301 of 366
About Valley Christian Academy
Valley Christian Academy is a K-12 public school located at 2970 Santa Maria Way in the heart of Santa Maria, California. With an enrollment of 387 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1, Valley Christian Academy offers a relatively small classroom environment with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.4 out of 10, placing it in the 14th percentile among California schools based on its state ranking of #1546 out of 1790 schools.
While test score data isn't available to provide a detailed academic performance analysis, Valley Christian Academy continues to focus on student development and growth. Situated in a mid-size city, Valley Christian Academy is part of the vibrant Santa Maria community, offering students access to local resources and activities that complement their educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
As a private school, Valley Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $2,670
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $2,892
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.08x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 68%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $366,360
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 387 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Valley Christian Academy compares to 31 public schools serving similar grades in Santa Maria, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Valley Christian Academy (this school) | 5.3 |
| Ernest Righetti High | 6.2 |
| Bill Libbon Elementary | 5.7 |
| Battles (Washington) Elementary | 4.5 |
| Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary | 5.6 |
| Liberty Elementary | 5.0 |
| Adam (William Laird) Elementary | 4.5 |
| Miller (Isaac) Elementary | 5.7 |
| Santa Maria High | 5.5 |
| Sanchez (David J.) Elementary | 5.6 |
| Delta High | 5.2 |
| Family Partnership Charter | 7.1 |
| Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/Santa Maria | 6.0 |
| Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary | 7.7 |
| Arellanes Junior High | 4.5 |
| Fesler (Isaac) Junior High | 4.4 |
| Fairlawn Elementary | 5.3 |
| El Camino Junior High | 4.9 |
| Alvin Elementary | 4.0 |
| Pioneer Valley High | 5.2 |
| Bruce (Robert) Elementary | 5.8 |
Showing 20 of 31 schools. View all schools in Santa Maria
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
2970 SANTA MARIA WAY, Santa Maria, CA 93455
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Christian Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Family Partnership Charter (rated 7.1/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Trivium Charter (rated 4.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Lompoc), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Maria | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Lakeview Junior High Orcutt | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt | 1.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Santa Maria | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Trivium Charter Lompoc | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary Santa Maria | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Miller (Isaac) Elementary Santa Maria | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Liberty Elementary Santa Maria | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Santa Maria High Santa Maria | 2.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Ralph Dunlap Elementary Orcutt | 2.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Orcutt School for Independent Study Orcutt | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Delta High Santa Maria | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Family Partnership Charter Santa Maria | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
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 Valley Christian Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| ASA Charter San Bernardino, CA | 5.3 |
| Insight @ San Joaquin Simi Valley, CA | 5.3 |
| Monterey County Home Charter Salinas, CA | 5.3 |
| Sutter County Special Education Yuba City, CA | 5.3 |
| Keyes to Learning Charter Keyes, CA | 5.2 |
| Monte Vista Simi Valley, CA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley Christian Academy
What grades does Valley Christian Academy serve?
Valley Christian Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Valley Christian Academy?
Valley Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 387 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Christian Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Christian Academy is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Valley Christian Academy rank in CA?
Valley Christian Academy is ranked #1443 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Valley Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Christian Academy has a composite rating of 5.3 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.
Is Valley Christian Academy a private school?
Yes, Valley Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Baptist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Valley Christian Academy a religious school?
Valley Christian Academy has a Baptist religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,611/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Maria). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 387
- Gender Split
- 49% M / 51% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Baptist
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- SANTA BARBARA
- Phone
- (805) 937-6317
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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