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Average

#5498 of 8,547 schools in TX

Santa Maria H S

High School · SANTA MARIA ISD

P O BOX 448, Santa Maria, TX 78592

Enrollment

176

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Maria

#2 of 3

public schools

Texas high schools

#1,320 of 1,699

In district

#2 of 3

SANTA MARIA ISD

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Santa Maria H S

Santa Maria High School serves 176 students in grades 9-12 in the small community of Santa Maria, Texas. This regular public high school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between students and faculty. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #1329 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Texas high schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to student success despite serving a community where resources may be limited. Santa Maria High School operates within a close-knit rural community in Cameron County, where the median household income is $30,156 and approximately 35% of residents live below the poverty line. The intimate school environment, with fewer than 200 students, creates opportunities for every student to participate in activities, develop leadership skills, and receive individualized support from teachers and staff.

The school is situated in a rural area near the town of Santa Maria, serving families in a small Texas community where the median home value is $34,800 and the total ZIP code population is just 587 residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 176 students, Santa Maria H S is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Santa Maria H S are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Santa Maria H S offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness2.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,404

Santa Maria H S — Students at Santa Maria H S score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 16.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.

How Santa Maria H S Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in TX
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

P O BOX 448, Santa Maria, TX 78592

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Maria H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LA FERIA EARLY COLLEGE H S (rated 6.6/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby La Feria), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MERCEDES ACADEMIC ACADEMY (rated 5.8/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Mercedes), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MERCEDES H S (rated 4.5/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Mercedes), a more accessible option. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.8 mi
School Distance Rating
SANTA MARIA DAEP Santa Maria 0.0 mi
SANTA MARIA ACADEMIC ACADEMY-OPTIONS CAMPUS (6-12) Santa Maria 0.1 mi
TONY GONZALEZ EL Santa Maria 0.2 mi 5.5
SANTA MARIA MIDDLE Santa Maria 0.2 mi 6.3
DAVID G SANCHEZ EL La Feria 5.0 mi 5.6
NOEMI DOMINGUEZ EL La Feria 5.4 mi 6.3
C E VAIL EL La Feria 5.5 mi 3.7
W B GREEN J H La Feria 6.0 mi 6.2
SGT MANUEL CHACON MIDDLE Mercedes 5.8 mi 5.5
LA FERIA ACADEMY La Feria 6.1 mi
MERCEDES ACADEMIC ACADEMY Mercedes 6.0 mi 5.8
LA FERIA EARLY COLLEGE H S La Feria 6.2 mi 6.6
MERCEDES H S Mercedes 5.9 mi 4.5
RUBEN HINOJOSA EL Mercedes 6.0 mi 4.5
SAM HOUSTON EL La Feria 6.4 mi 4.8
TRAVIS EL Mercedes 6.2 mi 5.0
TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MERCEDES Mercedes 6.7 mi 4.2
RANGERVILLE EL San Benito 6.5 mi 3.9
MERCEDES EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY Mercedes 6.8 mi 4.0
MERCEDES EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM Mercedes 6.8 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78592 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Population

600

College Educated

3.5%

Homeownership

100%

Poverty Rate

31.2%

Median Age

50.2

Community Profile

It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 31.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BOOKER T WASHINGTON H S Conroe, TX 5.7
BRACKETT H S Brackettville, TX 5.7
CONCORDIA HIGH SCHOOL Round Rock, TX 5.7
EL PASO ACADEMY WEST El Paso, TX 5.7
GRAPELAND H S Grapeland, TX 5.7
ITASCA H S Itasca, TX 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Maria H S

What grades does Santa Maria H S serve?

Santa Maria H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Santa Maria H S?

Santa Maria H S has an enrollment of approximately 176 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Maria H S?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Maria H S is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Santa Maria H S rank in TX?

Santa Maria H S is ranked #5498 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Santa Maria H S's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Maria H S has a composite rating of 5.7 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 H S?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Maria H S has 17.5% math proficiency and 16.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Santa Maria H S a charter school?

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

Is Santa Maria H S a Title I school?

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

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

97.2% of students at Santa Maria H S 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
Low (222/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cameron County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SANTA MARIA ISD
District Enrollment
540
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,319
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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