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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Maria Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public high schools serving 10,500 students in Santa Maria, CA.
The top-ranked public high schools in Santa Maria, CA are Orcutt Academy Charter, Family Partnership Charter and Ernest Righetti High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Maria, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Santa Maria have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public high schools.
Santa Maria, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 92%, 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 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in Santa Maria, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
Delta High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4893 Bethany Ln.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-6356
Gr: 9-12 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 96%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Santa Maria, CA?
The top-ranked public high schools in Santa Maria, CA include Orcutt Academy Charter, Family Partnership Charter and Ernest Righetti High School.
How many public high schools are located in Santa Maria?
10 public high schools are located in Santa Maria.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Maria?
Santa Maria public high schools minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Santa Maria are often viewed compared to one another?

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