Nipomo High

Summary:

Nipomo High is a public high school located in Nipomo, California, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 891 students. The school is part of the Lucia Mar Unified School District, which is ranked 587 out of 1,568 districts in California and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Nipomo High faces some challenges, with standardized test scores generally lower than the district and state averages. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 43.72% of 11th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy, compared to 56.99% for the Lucia Mar Unified district and 55.73% for the state of California. In Mathematics, the proficiency rate for 11th-grade students was only 17.5%, significantly lower than the district (26.26%) and state (27.9%) averages. The school's performance in Science, as measured by the CAST assessment, is also below the district and state levels, with only 30.81% of 11th-grade students being proficient or better in 2023-2024. However, Nipomo High has maintained a relatively high four-year graduation rate, ranging from 91.4% to 96.6% over the past five years, which is comparable to or slightly higher than the district and state averages.

One area of concern for Nipomo High is its high and increasing chronic absenteeism rate, which has risen from 12.3% in 2018-2019 to 24.8% in 2022-2023, significantly higher than the district and state averages. Additionally, the school's performance varies across different student subgroups, with White students generally performing better than Hispanic students, and English Language Learners and Special Education students tending to have lower proficiency rates compared to their peers. When compared to nearby schools, Arroyo Grande High and Central Coast New Technical High both outperform Nipomo High in academic measures, while schools in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District generally have lower performance.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 525 North Thompson Rd.
       Nipomo, CA  93444-9086


(805) 474-3300

District: Lucia Mar Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
981st of 2,323 California High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $5,874 Help


Feeder schools for Nipomo High:

Elementary:    Dana Elementary
    Fairgrove Elementary
    Lange (Dorothea) Elementary
    Nipomo Elementary
Middle:    Mesa Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  18.8 Help
Number of students:  867

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
64.6%
White:
29.0%
Two or more races:
3.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  71.3% Help


 See top rated California high schools

 Compare Nipomo High to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Nipomo High ranks better than 57.8% of high schools in California. It also ranks 3rd among 4 ranked high schools in the Lucia Mar Unified School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 45.56. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Nipomo High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (64.6%), White (29%), two or more races (3.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 71.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Nipomo High is 18.8. 2 high schools in the Lucia Mar Unified School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Nipomo High employs 46.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Nipomo High is $5,874, which is the 2nd highest among 4 high schools in the Lucia Mar Unified School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Nipomo High:

SchoolDigger ranks Nipomo High 981st of 2323 California public high schools. (See Nipomo High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Homeless students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Lucia Mar Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Lucia Mar Unified 587th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Nipomo High?

Rank History for Nipomo High

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at Nipomo High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 68.00 221st 1653 86.6%
2005 67.05 298th 1901 84.3%
2006 63.86 388th 1968 80.3%
2007 81.49 104th 2063 95.0%
2008 69.95 273rd 2117 87.1%
2009 75.17 187th 2238 91.6%
2010 75.58 192nd 2281 91.6%
2011 76.13 188th 2367 92.1%
2012 71.88 265th 2354 88.7%
2013 61.97 487th 2426 79.9%
2015 45.98 1055th 1994 47.1%
2016 45.48 1098th 2039 46.2%
2017 66.04 670th 2021 66.8%
2018 57.53 852nd 2017 57.8%
2019 56.34 826th 2133 61.3%
2022 47.54 982nd 2123 53.7%
2023 50.07 865th 2348 63.2%
2024 45.56 981st 2323 57.8%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Nipomo High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 46.05 325th 1323 75.4%
2024 31.21 786th 1350 41.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Nipomo High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 17.69 1459th 1547 5.7%
2024 33.83 862nd 1534 43.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Nipomo High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.30 932nd 1862 49.9%
2019 58.94 705th 1937 63.6%
2022 45.19 981st 1943 49.5%
2023 45.22 999th 2247 55.5%
2024 46.70 941st 2235 57.9%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Nipomo High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 49.91 133rd 290 54.1%
2023 65.85 107th 417 74.3%
2024 52.62 204th 451 54.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Nipomo High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.65 914th 1760 48.1%
2019 52.42 792nd 1833 56.8%
2022 47.72 872nd 1858 53.1%
2023 39.94 1077th 2118 49.2%
2024 48.66 855th 2098 59.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Nipomo High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.37 255th 1052 75.8%
2019 53.29 364th 1117 67.4%
2022 35.83 667th 1161 42.5%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Nipomo High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.16 730th 1834 60.2%
2019 54.96 762nd 1880 59.5%
2022 43.06 973rd 1916 49.2%
2023 56.11 681st 2207 69.1%
2024 37.72 1109th 2172 48.9%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Nipomo High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.49 963rd 1742 44.7%
2019 52.12 817th 1814 55.0%
2022 45.88 932nd 1861 49.9%
2023 45.08 977th 2142 54.4%
2024 43.67 1008th 2125 52.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Nipomo High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.17 400th 1173 65.9%
2019 54.44 561st 1222 54.1%
2022 40.89 704th 1204 41.5%
2023 52.86 556th 1434 61.2%
2024 47.56 636th 1406 54.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Nipomo High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: California Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Nipomo High.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Nipomo High, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Nipomo High

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2002 394 6 19 227 3 n/a n/a 11 660
2003 394 6 19 227 3 n/a n/a 11 660
2004 568 14 24 317 5 n/a n/a 15 943
2005 721 18 28 444 7 n/a n/a 24 1242
2006 727 15 27 469 8 n/a n/a 31 1277
2007 696 17 25 477 5 n/a n/a 43 1263
2008 622 13 20 500 7 n/a n/a 0 1162
2009 607 11 19 511 9 3 55 0 1215
2010 553 15 16 511 10 4 23 0 1132
2011 542 18 21 536 8 2 21 0 1148
2012 526 18 17 535 6 2 13 0 1117
2013 462 14 17 514 3 2 13 0 1025
2014 448 9 19 551 2 1 18 0 1048
2015 423 6 15 535 2 2 19 0 1002
2016 384 4 14 543 3 2 14 0 964
2017 353 9 21 557 3 4 23 0 970
2018 306 6 21 558 3 4 22 0 920
2019 303 8 16 579 4 4 23 0 937
2020 299 7 23 571 3 4 21 0 928
2021 280 5 23 556 2 3 18 0 887
2022 268 5 21 566 3 3 18 1 885
2023 270 5 21 561 3 2 27 2 891
2024 251 6 14 560 4 3 27 2 867

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Nipomo High

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 660 32.2 20.5 45.9
2003 660 32.2 20.5 45.9
2004 943 43.4 21.7 37.4
2005 1242 53.8 23.1 27.5
2006 1277 55.0 23.2 29
2007 1263 55.4 22.8 35.6
2008 1162 64.6 18.0 29
2009 1215 55.2 19.2 32.3
2010 1132 55.2 20.5 43
2011 1148 n/a n/a 47.4
2012 1117 53.6 20.8 n/a
2013 1025 49.4 20.7 48.1
2014 1048 46.0 22.7 55.4
2015 1002 51.0 19.6 53.7
2016 964 52.0 18.5 57.9
2017 970 52.4 18.5 57.9
2018 920 53.1 17.2 66.2
2019 937 52.4 17.8 65.2
2020 928 n/a n/a 64.5
2021 887 49.6 17.8 76.2
2022 885 48.5 18.2 68.1
2023 891 46.2 19.2 68.1
2024 867 46.1 18.8 71.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Nipomo High

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 660 32.2 20.5 45.9
2003 660 32.2 20.5 45.9
2004 943 43.4 21.7 37.4
2005 1242 53.8 23.1 27.5
2006 1277 55.0 23.2 29
2007 1263 55.4 22.8 35.6
2008 1162 64.6 18.0 29
2009 1215 55.2 19.2 32.3
2010 1132 55.2 20.5 43
2011 1148 n/a n/a 47.4
2012 1117 53.6 20.8 n/a
2013 1025 49.4 20.7 48.1
2014 1048 46.0 22.7 55.4
2015 1002 51.0 19.6 53.7
2016 964 52.0 18.5 57.9
2017 970 52.4 18.5 57.9
2018 920 53.1 17.2 66.2
2019 937 52.4 17.8 65.2
2020 928 n/a n/a 64.5
2021 887 49.6 17.8 76.2
2022 885 48.5 18.2 68.1
2023 891 46.2 19.2 68.1
2024 867 46.1 18.8 71.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Nipomo High

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $5,874

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Nipomo High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 826th of 2133 High schoolsRanks 865th of 2348 High schools
 1.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Nipomo High)59.953.3
 6.6%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Lucia Mar Unified)55.957.9
 2%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Nipomo High)27.816
 11.8%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Lucia Mar Unified)31.724.6
 7.1%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
11th Grade Science (Nipomo High)31.928.9
 3.1%
   11th Grade Science (Lucia Mar Unified)29.334.8
 5.4%
   11th Grade Science (California)30.431.7
 1.3%
12th Grade Science (Nipomo High)14.916.2
 1.3%
   12th Grade Science (Lucia Mar Unified)22.626.7
 4.2%
   12th Grade Science (California)25.626.8
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students937891
 4.9%
African American85
 37.5%
American Indian43
 25%
Asian1621
 31.3%
Hispanic579561
 3.1%
Pacific Islander42
 50%
White303270
 10.9%
Two or More Races2327
 17.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients65.2%68.1%
 2.9%


Schools Near Nipomo High









Frequently Asked Questions about Nipomo High

In the 2023-24 school year, 867 students attended Nipomo High.

Students at Nipomo High are 65% Hispanic, 29% White, 3% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Nipomo High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Dana Elementary
Elementary : Fairgrove Elementary
Elementary : Lange (Dorothea) Elementary
Elementary : Nipomo Elementary
Middle : Mesa Middle

Nipomo High ranks 981st of 2323 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


Rate Nipomo High!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Nipomo High!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 292 milliseconds.