Ernest Righetti High: Top Public High School in Santa Maria (2026 List)

About Ernest Righetti High

Ernest Righetti High School is a well-known public high school in Santa Maria, California, that serves students in grades 9 through 12. It is one of the best schools in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District and has about 2,400 students, which means there is one teacher for every 23 students. The school is known as one of the best because it has a lot of academic programs, such as Advanced Placement classes and tests, which 33% of students take. With 81% of students coming from minority groups and 61% coming from low-income families, the campus is a good example of a multicultural environment. Current proficiency data shows that 49% of students are good at reading and 18% are good at math. Students also take the SAT and ACT to help them get ready for college and reach their goals. Ernest Righetti High School is one of the best schools in the area. It has a great reputation in the community for its dedication to academic growth and a wide range of extracurricular activities, and it is one of the best high schools in California.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 18%

Reading 49%

State average proficiency is 18% in Math and 49% in Reading.

120

Full-time Teachers

20 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

2424

Total Students

$58409

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 18.48%

Asian 3.34%

Hispanic 74.13%

Black 1.16%

Two+ Races 1.16%

Native Am. 1.11%

White

18.48%

Asian

3.34%

Hispanic

74.13%

Black

1.16%

Two+ Races

1.16%

Native Am.

1.11%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 2424

48.64%

1179 Female

51.03%

1237 Male

Student Population

2424 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 20 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

269 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Ernest Righetti High Contact Information

Address

941 East Foster Rd., Santa Maria, CA, 93455

View on Map

Phone

(805) 937-2051

Call Now

Website

http://www.righetti.us

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:30 AM to 3:55 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:15 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Recently, the agricultural department at Ernest Righetti High School had a big win: a number of students won top honors at the most recent sectional FFA competitions. The campus is also better off because of the new, modern classrooms that have been built to make it easier for students to work together and use new technology. The school's drama department also put on a great show that brought together students with different skills in acting and technical stagecraft.

FAQ

Q1. What kind of learning model does Ernest Righetti High use?

Ans. The school has a flexible and personalized learning model that helps students study on their own and make up missed work.

Q2. Can students who went to Ernest Righetti High go back to a regular high school?

Ans. Yes, students can go back to a regular school once they reach their academic or behavioral goals.

Q3. Does Ernest Righetti High have classes that help students get ready for jobs?

Ans. Yes, Ernest Righetti High wants students to learn new skills and explore different careers while they are taking classes.

Q4. Is it possible for students to move from other schools to Ernest Righetti High?

Ans. Yes, students can switch schools if they want a high school program that is more flexible or different.

Q5. Does Ernest Righetti High offer help with schoolwork or counseling?

Ans. Yes, students can talk to counselors who can help them plan their classes and meet graduation requirements.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say