School district or education agency · NCES 0635670

Santa Maria Joint Union High

Santa Maria, CA

District overview See comparisons

Students8,985

Student membership reported by NCES for 2023–24.

Schools4

operational schools · 2023–24

Students8,985

students in linked records

Latest attendance year2022–23

federal comparable series

Latest finance record$17,168

per student

District, state and country

How does this district compare?

State and national figures use the same measure and reporting period. They are weighted by students or staffing whenever the source provides a denominator.

MeasureDistrictCAUnited States

Students chronically absent2022–23

23.7%27.7%27.8%

This district is 4.0 percentage points lower than the state figure and 4.1 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Revenue per studentFY 2023

$23,550$25,614$19,509

This district is $2,064 per student lower than the state figure and $4,041 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Spending per studentFY 2023

$17,168$18,479$15,859

This district is $1,311 per student lower than the state figure and $1,309 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Capital outlay per studentFY 2023

$3,811$2,019$1,964

This district is $1,792 per student higher than the state figure and $1,847 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Equipment spending per studentFY 2023

$368$135$336

This district is $233 per student higher than the state figure and $32 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Special-education spending per studentFY 2023

$2,100$2,978$1,793

This district is $878 per student lower than the state figure and $307 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Salaries per studentFY 2023

$9,055$9,951$8,742

This district is $896 per student lower than the state figure and $313 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Benefits per studentFY 2023

$4,104$4,693$3,769

This district is $589 per student lower than the state figure and $335 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Debt outstanding per studentFY 2023

$17,484$18,517$11,715

This district is $1,033 per student lower than the state figure and $5,769 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Debt retired per studentFY 2023

$562$916$869

This district is $354 per student lower than the state figure and $307 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Students per teacher2023–24

21:122:115:1

This district is 1.0 students per teacher lower than the state figure and 6.0 students per teacher higher than the U.S. figure.

Students per counselor2023–24

310:1443:1376:1

This district is 133 students per counselor lower than the state figure and 66 students per counselor lower than the U.S. figure.

District staff per 1,000 students2023–24

103.7108.2138.9

This district is 4.5 staff per 1,000 students lower than the state figure and 35.2 staff per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

Instructional aides per 1,000 students2023–24

12.816.918.5

This district is 4.1 aides per 1,000 students lower than the state figure and 5.7 aides per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

School psychologists per 1,000 students2023–24

1.01.30.9

This district is 0.3 psychologists per 1,000 students lower than the state figure and 0.1 psychologists per 1,000 students higher than the U.S. figure.

Regular diplomas among completers2023–24

99.2%98.6%99.0%

This district is 0.6 percentage points higher than the state figure and 0.2 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–122023–24

1.3%2.7%2.6%

This district is 1.4 percentage points lower than the state figure and 1.3 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students learning English2021–22 · reporting schools

16.6%19.3%12.0%

This district is 2.7 percentage points lower than the state figure and 4.6 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · reporting schools

12.2%12.5%14.0%

This district is 0.3 percentage points lower than the state figure and 1.8 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · reporting schools

1.7%2.1%3.9%

This district is 0.4 percentage points lower than the state figure and 2.2 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Teachers reported as certified2021–22 · reporting schools

100.0%95.9%95.8%

This district is 4.1 percentage points higher than the state figure and 4.2 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment change2021–22 to 2023–24

-2.8%-0.6%+0.5%

This district is 2.2 percentage points lower than the state figure and 3.3 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals2021–22 · valid district records

69.6%57.8%50.6%

This district is 11.8 percentage points higher than the state figure and 19.0 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students without disabilities2021–22 · matched enrollment

3.2%2.8%4.5%

This district is 0.4 percentage points higher than the state figure and 1.3 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · matched enrollment

9.0%6.1%9.0%

This district is 2.9 percentage points higher than the state figure and about the same as the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · matched enrollment

3.1%4.5%6.7%

This district is 1.4 percentage points lower than the state figure and 3.6 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students enrolled in district distance education2021–22 · matched enrollment

2.2%5.7%5.1%

This district is 3.5 percentage points lower than the state figure and 2.9 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

School-age children in poverty2024 Census estimate

21.6%13.9%14.4%

This district is 7.7 percentage points higher than the state figure and 7.2 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment · 2023–24

Who attends this district?

Grades 9–128,985 students

100.0%

See enrollment for every grade

Grade 92,081

Grade 102,234

Grade 112,227

Grade 122,443

Students by race and ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino8,035 (89.4%)

White587 (6.5%)

Asian200 (2.2%)

Black or African American53 (0.6%)

Two or more races43 (0.5%)

American Indian or Alaska Native42 (0.5%)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander9 (0.1%)

Final NCES Common Core of Data membership file, 2023–24. Suppressed or missing cells are not estimated.

Current staffing · 2023–24

How many staff members support students?

931.8All district staff, full-time equivalent

420.3Teachers, full-time equivalent

29School counselors, full-time equivalent

9School psychologists, full-time equivalent

114.8Instructional aides, full-time equivalent

16.5School administrators, full-time equivalent

10Student support staff, full-time equivalent

See detailed staffing

Secondary teachers420.3 FTE

Secondary school counselors29 FTE

Instructional coordinators2 FTE

District administrators10 FTE

District administrative support27.8 FTE

School administrative support69.9 FTE

Other support staff222.6 FTE

Final NCES Common Core of Data staff file, 2023–24. These are full-time-equivalent positions, not employee headcounts, vacancies or caseloads.

High-school outcomes · 2023–24

How many students completed school or dropped out?

2,284Total completers

2,266Regular diplomas

18Other state-recognized credentials

120Reported dropouts, grades 9–12

Regular diplomas among completers

District99.2%

CA98.6%

United States99.0%

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–12

District1.3%

CA2.7%

United States2.6%

Final NCES Common Core of Data completer and dropout files, 2023–24. The dropout rate divides the reported annual grades 9–12 dropout count by complete grades 9–12 enrollment. It is not a cohort graduation rate. The diploma share describes credentials among completers and should not be read as a graduation rate.

Graduation · 2022–23

How many students graduated within four years?

Loading the district's official graduation record…

Learning support · 2021–22 federal snapshot

How many students may need specialized support?

Counts and shares use only schools with a usable value for that measure. The reporting-school denominator prevents missing schools from being counted as zero.

16.6%Students learning English1,530 students · 4 of 4 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District16.6%

CA19.3%

U.S.12.0%

12.2%Students receiving IDEA special-education services1,125 students · 4 of 4 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District12.2%

CA12.5%

U.S.14.0%

1.7%Students with Section 504 plans159 students · 4 of 4 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District1.7%

CA2.1%

U.S.3.9%

1.9%English learners also receiving IDEA services178 students · 4 of 4 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District1.9%

CA3.2%

U.S.1.7%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Public-use counts are privacy-protected. These figures describe the reporting year, not current enrollment, diagnoses, service quality or unmet need.

Teacher quality and early learning · 2021–22

What did the district report about teachers and preschool?

100.0%Teachers reported as certified

Teacher certification comparison

District100.0%

CA95.9%

United States95.8%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Certification status is district-reported and may not match current staffing. Preschool counts cover the federal reporting year and are not a measure of available seats.

Community context · 2024

How many school-age children live in poverty?

This Census estimate provides context about families in the district. It does not measure school quality or describe every student enrolled in the district.

10,339children ages 5 to 17

2,235estimated to live in families below the poverty line

21.6%about 1 in 5 school-age children

District21.6%

CA13.9%

United States14.4%

U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. The estimate covers related children ages 5 to 17 in families in poverty and uses 2024–25 district boundaries.

District geography · 2024–25

What area does this district cover?

NCES publishes a geographic boundary for traditional school districts. Charter agencies and some special-purpose agencies may not have one.

Loading the official district boundary…

Source: NCES EDGE School District Boundaries, school year 2024–25.

Comparable districts

Districts serving a similar student population

These peers are matched using enrollment and available student population measures. Districts in CA receive geographic preference, but a closer national match may appear when it is more comparable. Open any profile for a full comparison.

Lompoc UnifiedLompoc, CA8,955 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Greenfield UnionBakersfield, CA9,021 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Lincoln UnifiedStockton, CA8,773 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Arcadia UnifiedArcadia, CA8,988 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Tulare CityTulare, CA9,253 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →

District makeup

What kinds of schools are in the district?

4High schools

2Suburb setting

2City setting

1Alternative schools

School levels, settings and types use the NCES 2021–22 directory matched to the federal civil-rights collection.

District finances

How is the district funded, and how does it spend?

Sources of funds

Where the money comes from

Share of district revenue supplied by each level of government.

10.5%Federal

56.2%State

33.3%Local

Uses of funds

Where the money goes

Annual spending for each enrolled student.

$17,168Total current spending per student

$9,468Instruction per student

$7,097Support services per student

Revenue by source: percentages and dollars

$22.8MFederal revenue10.5% of total revenue

$122.4MState revenue56.2% of total revenue

$72.6MLocal revenue33.3% of total revenue

How operating money was used

$9,468Instructionper student

$7,097Student and instructional supportper student

$2,100Special educationper student

$2,004Building operations and maintenanceper student

$300Student transportationper student

$603Food servicesper student

$0Technologyper student

People costs

$83.8MSalaries$9,055 per student

$38MEmployee benefits$4,104 per student

Equipment, buildings and debt

$3.4MEquipmentFY 2023

$35.3MCapital outlay$3,811 per student

$31.7MConstructionincluded in capital outlay

$161.7MDebt outstanding at year end$17,484 per student

$770KNew debt issuedFY 2023

$5.2MDebt principal retiredFY 2023

$4.9MInterest paid on debtFY 2023

Selected federal program revenue

$2.5MTitle I$267 per student

$1.6MIDEA special education$173 per student

$251KCareer and technical education$27 per student

$5.7MChild nutrition$620 per student

What changed since FY 2022

Operating spending per student

FY 2022$15,167

FY 2023$17,168

Capital spending per student

FY 2022$5,419

FY 2023$3,811

Debt outstanding per student

FY 2022$17,979

FY 2023$17,484

Revenue shares and spending categories answer different questions and should not be added together. Source: NCES F-33 district finance, FY 2023.

Attendance

How has chronic absence changed?

2020–2111%

987 of 8,953 students

2021–2225.8%

2,384 of 9,242 students

2022–2323.7%

2,193 of 9,251 students

Specialized support and security · 2021–22

What specialized roles were reported?

3Sworn law-enforcement officer FTE4 reporting schools

34Security staff FTE4 reporting schools

Staffing is reported as full-time equivalents in the 2021–22 CRDC collection.

Learning opportunities

What do district schools offer?

Algebra I4 reporting schools

Calculus4 reporting schools

Biology4 reporting schools

Chemistry4 reporting schools

Physics4 reporting schools

Computer science4 reporting schools

Advanced Placement4 reporting schools

Dual enrollment4 reporting schools

Gifted programs4 reporting schools

International Baccalaureate4 reporting schools

Athletics4 reporting schools

Shares use only schools for which the program was applicable and reported. A districtwide percentage does not guarantee availability at every grade or campus. Source: 2021–22 CRDC.

Safety and discipline

What was reported across district schools?

357Out-of-school suspensions4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0In-school suspensions4 reporting schoolsSee schools →3Law-enforcement referrals4 reporting schoolsSee schools →1School-related arrests4 reporting schoolsSee schools →

Counts are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Open a measure to see the schools behind the district total.

Technology and safety · 2021–22

What access and incident data is available?

100%Schools reporting Wi-Fi4 reporting schools

100%Schools reporting fiber4 reporting schools

3Student devices reported4 reporting schools

5Weapon-possession reports4 reporting schoolsSee schools →1Threats involving a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →19Threats without a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →181Attacks involving a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →177Attacks without a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →3Firearm incidents4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Robberies without a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Robberies involving a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →2Homicide incidents4 reporting schoolsSee schools →

Technology and incident figures are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Device counts describe the reporting year, not current inventory.

Six questions parents ask

What the available data says

Each answer shows its reporting year and opens a deeper comparison. Missing and suppressed results are never shown as zero.

Are students making academic progress?No comparable trendCheck state-reported resultsExplore and compare →Are students missing too much school?23.7% chronically absent2022–23 · 9,251 students measuredExplore and compare →Is the district improving?No comparable trendCompare the earliest and latest available yearsExplore and compare →Where are student-group gaps largest?No comparable group resultSuppressed or unavailableExplore and compare →How much does the district spend?$17,168current spending per studentExplore and compare →Does the district have enough support staff?310:1 counselor ratioStudents per counselor in the 2023–24 federal staffing fileExplore and compare →

Data status

7 of 8 national data layers are matched to this NCES district ID. Identity and school counts use NCES records. Academic estimates use SEDA, attendance uses EDFacts, finance uses NCES F-33, staffing and enrollment use 2023–24 NCES CCD where available, teacher certification, preschool and policy fields use the 2021–22 CRDC, and community poverty context uses Census SAIPE. Four-year graduation rates use 2022–23 EDFacts. Every detailed view preserves its reporting year.

See all sources →