For the 2025 school year, there are 30 public elementary schools serving 18,383 students in Santa Maria, CA.
The top ranked public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 45% statewide average). Elementary schools in Santa Maria have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Maria, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Joe Nightingale Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
255 Winter Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8650
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8650
Grades: K-6
| 684 students
Rank: #22.
Orcutt Academy Charter
Charter School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 Dyer St.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8900
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8900
Grades: K-12
| 778 students
Rank: #33.
Benjamin Foxen Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4949 Foxen Canyon Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 937-1148
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 937-1148
Grades: K-8
| 192 students
Rank: #44.
Pine Grove Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1050 East Rice Ranch Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8800
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8800
Grades: K-6
| 547 students
Rank: #55.
Patterson Road Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
400 Patterson Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8750
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8750
Grades: K-6
| 641 students
Rank: #66.
Family Partnership Charter
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1157 E. Clark Ave. Ste. H
Santa Maria, CA 93456
(805) 348-3333
Santa Maria, CA 93456
(805) 348-3333
Grades: K-12
| 400 students
Rank: #77.
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
930 West Rancho Verde
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7680
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7680
Grades: K-6
| 882 students
Rank: #88.
Ralph Dunlap Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1220 Oak Knoll Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8500
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8500
Grades: K-6
| 486 students
Rank: #99.
Orcutt School For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1220 Oak Knoll Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 960-5572
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 960-5572
Grades: K-8
| 44 students
Rank: #1010.
Olive Grove Charter - Buellton
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
240 East Highway 246, Ste. 100
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Grades: K-12
| 29 students
Rank: #1111.
Alice Shaw Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
759 Dahlia Pl.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8850
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8850
Grades: K-6
| 526 students
Rank: #1212.
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1890 Sandalwood Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 361-6860
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 361-6860
Grades: K-6
| 292 students
Rank: #1313.
Tunnell (Martin Luther) Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1248 East Dena Way
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7940
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7940
Grades: K-6
| 874 students
Rank: #1414.
Jimenez Roberto And Dr. Francisco Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1970 South Biscayne St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-4340
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-4340
Grades: K-8
| 1,043 students
Rank: #1515.
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
804 West Liberty St.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-4625
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-4625
Grades: K-6
| 658 students
Rank: #1616.
Fairlawn Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
120 North Mary Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7500
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7500
Grades: K-6
| 716 students
Rank: #1717.
Olive Grove Charter - Santa Barbara
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1933 Cliff Dr., Ste.12
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Grades: K-12
| 82 students
Rank: #1818.
Miller (Isaac) Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
410 East Camino Colegio
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7560
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7560
Grades: K-6
| 883 students
Rank: #1919.
Taylor (Ida Redmond) Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1921 North Carlotti Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6250
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6250
Grades: K-6
| 876 students
Rank: #2020.
Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/santa Maria
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5075 Bradley Rd., Ste. 234
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Grades: K-12
| 141 students
Rank: #2121.
Olive Grove Charter - Lompoc
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
820 North H St. Suites Bcd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Grades: K-12
| 109 students
Rank: #2222.
Bill Libbon Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
750 Meehan St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6500
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6500
Grades: K-6
| 739 students
Rank: #2323.
Battles (Washington) Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
605 East Battles Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6880
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6880
Grades: K-6
| 756 students
Rank: #2424.
Alvin Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
301 East Alvin Ave.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6760
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-6760
Grades: K-6
| 939 students
Rank: #2525.
Liberty Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1300 West Sonya Ln.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-4530
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-4530
Grades: K-6
| 873 students
Rank: #2626.
Rice (William) Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
700 East Vickie Ave.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7740
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-7740
Grades: K-6
| 913 students
Rank: #2727.
Bonita Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2715 West Main St.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-8290
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-8290
Grades: K-6
| 545 students
Rank: #2828.
Adam (William Laird) Elementary School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
500 West Windsor
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-6700
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-6700
Grades: K-6
| 870 students
Rank: #2929.
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1120 West Harding St.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7620
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-7620
Grades: K-6
| 867 students
Rank: #3030.
Bruce (Robert) Elementary School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 West Alvin Ave.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-6940
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-6940
Grades: K-6
| 998 students
Santa Maria, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
625 S. Mcclelland
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 348-3333
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 348-3333
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
610 Pinal St
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8550
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8550
Grades: K-6
| 488 students
Phoenix High School (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
402 Farnel Rd., Ste. M
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 964-4710
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 964-4710
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Maria, CA?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Maria, CA include Joe Nightingale Elementary School, Orcutt Academy Charter and Benjamin Foxen Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Santa Maria?
30 public elementary schools are located in Santa Maria.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Maria?
Santa Maria public elementary schools minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Santa Maria are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Santa Maria include: Ralph Dunlap Elementary School vs. Patterson Road Elementary School, Alice Shaw Elementary School vs. Orcutt Academy Charter, Patterson Road Elementary School vs. Ralph Dunlap Elementary School
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