Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Santa Maria, CA (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Maria Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 41 public schools serving 32,047 students in Santa Maria, CA (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,707 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Santa Maria, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Santa Maria, CA are Joe Nightingale Elementary School, Orcutt Academy Charter and Benjamin Foxen Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Maria, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Santa Maria have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Santa Maria, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Joe Nightingale Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
255 Winter Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8650
Gr: K-6 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #22.
Orcutt Academy Charter
Charter School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
500 Dyer St.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8900
Gr: K-12 | 812 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #33.
Benjamin Foxen Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4949 Foxen Canyon Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 937-1148
Gr: K-8 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #44.
Pine Grove Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1050 East Rice Ranch Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8800
Gr: K-6 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #55.
Orcutt Junior High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
608 Pinal St.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8700
Gr: 7-8 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #66.
Patterson Road Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 Patterson Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8750
Gr: K-6 | 662 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #77.
Family Partnership Charter
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1157 E. Clark Ave. Ste. H
Santa Maria, CA 93456
(805) 348-3333
Gr: K-12 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #88.
Lakeview Junior High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3700 Orcutt Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8600
Gr: 7-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #99.
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
930 West Rancho Verde
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7680
Gr: K-6 | 869 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1010.
Ralph Dunlap Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1220 Oak Knoll Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8500
Gr: K-6 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1111.
Orcutt School For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1220 Oak Knoll Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 960-5572
Gr: K-8 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1212.
Ernest Righetti High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
941 East Foster Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-2051
Gr: 9-12 | 2,416 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1313.
Olive Grove Charter - Buellton
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
240 East Highway 246, Ste. 100
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Gr: K-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1414.
Alice Shaw Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
759 Dahlia Pl.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8850
Gr: K-6 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1515.
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1890 Sandalwood Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 361-6860
Gr: K-6 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1616.
Tunnell (Martin Luther) Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1248 East Dena Way
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7940
Gr: K-6 | 917 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1717.
Pioneer Valley High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
675 Panther Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-1305
Gr: 9-12 | 3,080 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1818.
Jimenez Roberto And Dr. Francisco Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1970 South Biscayne St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-4340
Gr: K-8 | 1,177 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1919.
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
804 West Liberty St.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-4625
Gr: K-6 | 654 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2020.
Fairlawn Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
120 Mary Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7500
Gr: K-6 | 716 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2121.
Olive Grove Charter - Santa Barbara
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1933 Cliff Dr., Ste.12
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Gr: K-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #2222.
Miller (Isaac) Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
410 East Camino Colegio
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7560
Gr: K-6 | 883 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2323.
Kunst (Tommie) Junior High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
930 Hidden Pines Way
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-5800
Gr: 7-8 | 912 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2424.
Taylor (Ida Redmond) Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1921 North Carlotti Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6250
Gr: K-6 | 849 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2525.
Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/santa Maria
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5075 Bradley Rd., Ste. 234
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Gr: K-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2626.
Olive Grove Charter - Lompoc
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
820 North H St. Suites Bcd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Gr: K-12 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2727.
El Camino Junior High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
219 West El Camino
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7800
Gr: 7-8 | 830 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #2828.
Bill Libbon Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
750 Meehan St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6500
Gr: K-6 | 834 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2929.
Battles (Washington) Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
605 East Battles Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6880
Gr: K-6 | 769 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Fesler (Isaac) Junior High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1100 East Fesler St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7880
Gr: 7-8 | 974 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Santa Maria High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
901 South Broadway
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 925-2567
Gr: 9-12 | 3,143 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3232.
Alvin Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
301 East Alvin Ave.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6760
Gr: K-6 | 998 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3333.
Liberty Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 West Sonya Ln.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-4530
Gr: K-6 | 865 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3434.
Rice (William) Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
700 East Vickie Ave.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7740
Gr: K-6 | 887 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3535.
Bonita Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2715 West Main St.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-8290
Gr: K-6 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Show 6 more public schools in Santa Maria, CA (out of 41 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Santa Maria, CA?
The top-ranked public schools in Santa Maria, CA include Joe Nightingale Elementary School, Orcutt Academy Charter and Benjamin Foxen Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Santa Maria?
41 public schools are located in Santa Maria.
What percentage of students in Santa Maria go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Santa Maria are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Maria?
Santa Maria public schools minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Santa Maria are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (CA):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
 10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
 The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights

More Articles

Scholarships
About Public Schools
Parenting and Learning Issues
Evaluating Public Schools
Public School Jobs