Item: Santa Maria Joint Union High School District
Rating: 3
Author: �鶹������ý

Home > California > Santa Barbara County

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

2560 Skyway Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93455-1507

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (805) 922-4573

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="top-rankings">Top Rankings

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Category

Attribute

Graduation Rate

Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)

Community Size

Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 8,984 students in Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. This district's average high is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in California.

Public High Schools in Santa Maria Joint Union High School District have an score of 15% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and score of 37% (versus the 51% statewide average).

Public High School in Santa Maria Joint Union High School District have a of 93%, which is more than the California average of 86%.

The school with highest graduation rate is Pioneer Valley High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.

Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="overview">Overview

This School District

This State (CA)

# Schools

4 Schools

2,813 Schools

# Students

8,984 Students

2,140,317 Students

# Teachers

420 Teachers

100,767 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

21:1

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="student-by-grade">Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
9	2,081	227
10	2,233	232
11	2,227	228
12	2,443	240

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="district-rank">District Rank

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, which is ranked #1421 of all 1,908 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 93% has increased from 91% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (CA)

#1391 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District
2023	#1391
2022	#1384
2019	#1183
2018	#838
2017	#694
2016	#614
2015	#615
2014	#534
2013	#662
2012	#716
2011	#621

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15%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	15%	34%
2022	15%	33%
2019	22%	40%
2018	19%	39%
2017	18%	38%
2016	21%	37%
2015	19%	34%
2014	53%	63%
2013	54%	59%
2012	54%	59%
2011	52%	58%

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37%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2022	37%	47%
2019	49%	51%
2018	19%	50%
2017	46%	48%
2016	47%	48%
2015	44%	44%
2014	43%	58%
2013	46%	57%
2012	45%	58%
2011	50%	56%
2010	41%	54%

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13%

29%

93%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	93%	87%
2022	92%	87%
2021	92%	84%
2020	91%	85%
2019	91%	84%
2018	91%	84%
2017	89%	83%
2016	89%	83%
2015	89%	89%
2014	84%	88%
2013	84%	87%

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="students-by-ethnicity">Students by Ethnicity:

0.20

0.63

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	0.21	0.64
2022	0.22	0.63
2021	0.23	0.62
2020	0.26	0.63
2019	0.26	0.63
2018	0.27	0.64
2017	0.27	0.64
2016	0.28	0.64
2015	0.30	0.64
2014	0.33	0.65
2013	0.34	0.65
2012	0.37	0.65
2011	0.39	0.67
2010	0.41	0.67
2009	0.50	0.71
2008	0.47	0.65
2007	0.51	0.67
2006	0.52	0.66
2005	0.54	0.67
2004	0.55	0.67
2003	0.55	0.67
2002	0.55	0.67
2001	0.56	0.67
2000	0.56	0.67
1999	0.56	0.67
1998	0.56	0.67
1997	0.57	0.67
1996	0.58	0.67
1995	0.58	0.67
1994	0.59	0.67
1993	0.59	0.67
1992	0.59	0.67
1991	0.59	0.67

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1989-2023)
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	2%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2008	1%	1%
2007	1%	2%
2006	1%	1%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2002	2%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	2%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	2%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	2%	1%
1990	1%	1%
1989	1%	1%

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% Asian

11%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	2%	12%
2022	2%	12%
2021	3%	12%
2020	4%	12%
2019	4%	12%
2018	3%	11%
2017	3%	11%
2016	3%	11%
2015	3%	11%
2014	3%	11%
2013	4%	11%
2012	4%	11%
2011	4%	11%
2010	5%	11%
2009	5%	11%
2008	5%	12%
2007	6%	12%
2006	6%	12%
2005	7%	12%
2004	7%	12%
2003	8%	11%
2002	4%	11%
2001	6%	11%
2000	5%	11%
1999	5%	11%
1998	6%	11%
1997	6%	11%
1996	6%	11%
1995	6%	11%
1994	6%	11%
1993	6%	11%
1992	6%	11%
1991	5%	11%

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% Hispanic

89%

56%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	88%	55%
2022	88%	56%
2021	87%	56%
2020	86%	55%
2019	86%	55%
2018	85%	54%
2017	85%	54%
2016	84%	54%
2015	83%	54%
2014	81%	53%
2013	80%	53%
2012	79%	52%
2011	77%	51%
2010	75%	50%
2009	68%	49%
2008	69%	50%
2007	65%	49%
2006	65%	48%
2005	62%	47%
2004	60%	46%
2003	60%	45%
2002	58%	44%
2001	57%	43%
2000	56%	42%
1999	56%	41%
1998	56%	40%
1997	55%	40%
1996	54%	39%
1995	52%	38%
1994	50%	37%
1993	48%	36%
1992	47%	35%
1991	44%	34%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1990-2022)
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2022	1%	5%
2020	1%	5%
2019	1%	5%
2018	1%	6%
2017	1%	6%
2016	1%	6%
2015	1%	6%
2014	1%	6%
2013	1%	6%
2012	1%	6%
2011	1%	7%
2010	1%	7%
2009	1%	7%
2008	2%	8%
2007	2%	8%
2006	2%	8%
2005	2%	8%
2004	2%	8%
2002	2%	8%
2001	2%	8%
2000	3%	9%
1999	2%	9%
1998	2%	9%
1997	2%	9%
1996	2%	9%
1995	2%	9%
1994	2%	9%
1993	2%	9%
1992	2%	9%
1991	2%	9%
1990	2%	9%

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% White

22%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	7%	21%
2022	7%	21%
2021	8%	22%
2020	8%	23%
2019	8%	23%
2018	10%	24%
2017	10%	24%
2016	11%	24%
2015	12%	24%
2014	12%	25%
2013	13%	25%
2012	14%	26%
2011	16%	27%
2010	17%	27%
2009	20%	28%
2008	23%	29%
2007	26%	29%
2006	26%	31%
2005	28%	31%
2004	30%	32%
2003	32%	34%
2002	34%	35%
2001	34%	36%
2000	35%	37%
1999	36%	38%
1998	35%	39%
1997	36%	39%
1996	37%	40%
1995	38%	41%
1994	41%	42%
1993	42%	43%
1992	44%	44%
1991	47%	45%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2023)
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	1%	6%
2022	1%	5%
2021	1%	5%
2020	1%	4%
2019	1%	4%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	4%
2016	1%	4%
2015	1%	3%
2014	3%	3%
2013	2%	3%
2012	2%	3%
2011	2%	2%
2010	2%	3%
2009	6%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="district-revenue-and-spending">District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,913 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $16,471 is less than the state median of $18,395. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.

This School District

This State (CA)

Total Revenue

$152 MM

$116,387 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	$152 MM	$8 MM
2022	$140 MM	$7 MM
2021	$152 MM	$8 MM
2020	$140 MM	$7 MM
2019	$145 MM	$7 MM
2018	$121 MM	$29 MM
2017	$110 MM	$26 MM
2016	$106 MM	$24 MM
2015	$68 MM	$17 MM
2014	$80 MM	$21 MM
2012	$76 MM	$19 MM
2011	$73 MM	$19 MM
2010	$68 MM	$17 MM
2009	$76 MM	$19 MM
2008	$94 MM	$19 MM
2007	$73 MM	$19 MM
2006	$64 MM	$17 MM
2005	$85 MM	$16 MM
2004	$49 MM	$16 MM
2003	$48 MM	$16 MM
2002	$46 MM	$15 MM
2001	$59 MM	$15 MM
2000	$38 MM	$13 MM
1999	$35 MM	$12 MM
1998	$32 MM	$11 MM
1997	$32 MM	$10 MM
1996	$26 MM	$9 MM
1995	$24 MM	$8 MM

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Spending

$148 MM

$107,188 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	$148 MM	$7 MM
2022	$133 MM	$7 MM
2021	$148 MM	$7 MM
2020	$133 MM	$7 MM
2019	$141 MM	$7 MM
2018	$126 MM	$29 MM
2017	$115 MM	$24 MM
2016	$109 MM	$23 MM
2015	$74 MM	$18 MM
2014	$81 MM	$21 MM
2012	$77 MM	$19 MM
2011	$74 MM	$19 MM
2010	$74 MM	$18 MM
2009	$75 MM	$18 MM
2008	$82 MM	$19 MM
2007	$72 MM	$18 MM
2006	$81 MM	$17 MM
2005	$61 MM	$16 MM
2004	$80 MM	$17 MM
2003	$61 MM	$15 MM
2002	$54 MM	$16 MM
2001	$44 MM	$14 MM
2000	$38 MM	$13 MM
1999	$34 MM	$11 MM
1998	$33 MM	$11 MM
1997	$30 MM	$10 MM
1996	$25 MM	$8 MM
1995	$24 MM	$8 MM

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Revenue / Student

$16,913

$19,974

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	$16,425	$15,607
2022	$16,212	$14,213
2021	$16,972	$15,669
2020	$16,212	$14,213
2019	$17,765	$14,063
2018	$15,190	$16,033
2017	$14,018	$16,692
2016	$13,448	$15,604
2015	$8,730	$10,238
2014	$10,379	$11,786
2012	$9,908	$11,929
2011	$9,383	$11,681
2010	$8,929	$10,238
2009	$9,827	$11,099
2008	$12,074	$11,762
2007	$9,568	$11,879
2006	$8,567	$10,859
2005	$11,883	$10,445
2004	$7,339	$10,566
2003	$7,508	$10,456
2002	$7,446	$9,803
2001	$9,483	$10,568
2000	$6,148	$8,943
1999	$5,843	$8,203
1998	$5,481	$7,395
1997	$5,844	$6,922
1995	$4,906	$5,953
1992	$4,683	$5,430

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Spending / Student

$16,471

$18,395

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Santa Maria Joint Union High School District	California
2023	$15,996	$13,914
2022	$15,420	$13,602
2021	$16,528	$13,970
2020	$15,420	$13,602
2019	$17,225	$13,522
2018	$15,838	$16,124
2017	$14,580	$15,588
2016	$13,787	$14,779
2015	$9,496	$10,739
2014	$10,499	$11,804
2012	$10,130	$12,155
2011	$9,496	$11,509
2010	$9,712	$10,739
2009	$9,711	$10,975
2008	$10,558	$11,678
2007	$9,507	$11,317
2006	$10,803	$10,926
2005	$8,641	$10,789
2004	$11,934	$11,073
2003	$9,518	$10,210
2002	$8,640	$10,600
2001	$7,125	$10,007
2000	$6,267	$9,131
1999	$5,688	$7,911
1998	$5,642	$7,592
1997	$5,560	$6,759
1995	$4,870	$6,033
1992	$4,898	$5,588

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Best Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Public High Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Ernest Righetti High School

(Math: 18% | Reading: 53%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

941 East Foster Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-2051

Gr: 9-12 | 2,424 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 81%

Rank: #22.

Pioneer Valley High School

(Math: 19% | Reading: 39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

675 Panther Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-1305

Gr: 9-12 | 3,112 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Rank: #33.

Santa Maria High School

(Math: 10% | Reading: 28%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

901 South Broadway
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 925-2567

Gr: 9-12 | 3,110 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Rank: #44.

Delta High School

Alternative School

(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

4893 Bethany Ln.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-6356

Gr: 9-12 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 94%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 4 schools
Grades: 09-12
Enrollment: 8,984 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Minority Enrollment: 93%
: 93% (Top 20% in CA)
: Bottom 50%
: 15% (Btm 50%)
: 37% (Btm 50%)
: 13% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education