Fesler Jr High Santa Maria: What Families Should Know
Fesler Jr High Santa Maria: What Families Should Know
Isaac Fesler Junior High School is a public middle school located at 1100 East Fesler Street in Santa Maria, California, serving grades 7-8 with approximately 958 students enrolled in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. The school opened on July 1, 1980, is led by Principal Heather Paige, and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 while providing every student with a assigned Chromebook for year-round academic use.
School Overview and Key Facts
Fesler Junior High operates as a traditional public school within Santa Barbara County, specifically serving the East Santa Maria community with focused academic programming including AVID college readiness support. The school's CDS code is 42 69120 6046015, and it remains actively registered with the California Department of Education as of May 2025.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Isaac (Fesler) Junior High |
| Address | 1100 East Fesler St., Santa Maria, CA 93454-4611 |
| Phone | 361-7880 |
| Principal | Heather Paige 361-7875 |
| Grades Served | 7-8 |
| Enrollment | 958 students |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 18:1 |
| District | Santa Maria-Bonita School District |
| School Type | Public Intermediate/Middle School |
| Opened | July 1, 1980 |
Academic Performance and Program Highlights
The school serves a diverse student body where 34.7% are English learners, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Santa Maria's agricultural community. In 2019, Fesler appeared on the California Department of Education's list of schools needing comprehensive support, scoring 44 points below state standards in English Language Arts and 97.6 points below in Mathematics.
Fesler distinguishes itself through modern technology integration, with every classroom equipped with Epson Brightlink Interactive Displays and every student receiving a personal Chromebook for home and school use. The school offers AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) programming, which students and parents identify as the most engaging academic program available [content:niche].
- 100% of classrooms feature interactive display technology
- Every student receives a district-issued Chromebook
- Teachers have access to laptop, Chromebook, and iPad
- Gymnasium includes modern presentation display and PA system
- Access to Scholastic Reader, Aeries, Imagine Learning, and Starfall
School Schedule and Operational Details
Regular school hours run from 8:35 AM to 3:45 PM, with doors opening at 8:20 AM for student arrival and early dismissal at 12:15 PM on specified dates. The school operates from September's first week through June's third week annually.
- Doors open: 8:20 AM
- School begins: 8:35 AM
- Lunch/Recess: 10:30 AM-11:00 AM and 12:25 PM-2:05 PM
- Early dismissal: 12:15 PM (check calendar)
- School ends: 3:45 PM
Community Perception and Ratings
Fesler Junior High holds an overall Niche rating of 3.13 out of 5 based on 8 reviews, with a C-minus overall grade encompassing academics (C-minus), diversity (C), and teachers (B-minus) [content:niche]. Student poll data reveals that 33% of students and parents agree teachers give engaging lessons, while 33% agree teachers adequately lead classroom control [content:niche].
"I believe most of the teachers are good but only the teachers connected with the AVID program are the best. Being in AVID is the only exciting thing about that school honestly." - Niche Review, Rating 3/5 [content:niche]
The average teacher salary in the district is $95,227, with 15.6% of teachers in their first or second year, indicating a mix of experienced and emerging educators [content:niche].
Enrollment Demographics
The student population consists of roughly 51% male and 49% female enrollment across the 7-8 grade span. The school serves the East Santa Maria ZIP code 93454, where median household income is $84,617 and median home value is $478,200 [content:niche].
Contact Information and Resources
Families can reach the school through multiple channels: phone at 361-7880, fax at 346-1849, or by visiting the physical address during operating hours. Job postings indicate the school actively hires Student Supervision Aides with shifts beginning at 8:15 AM.
For data updates, contact CDS Coordinator Brian Rieke at 361-5956. The school website is hosted under smbsd.org, the Santa Maria-Bonita School District domain.
Helpful tips and tricks for Fesler Jr High Santa Maria What Families Should Know
How do I enroll my child at Fesler Jr High?
Contact the school office at 361-7880 or visit 1100 East Fesler Street to begin enrollment; as a public school within Santa Maria-Bonita School District, enrollment is based on residential boundaries.
What grades does Fesler Junior High serve?
Fesler serves only grades 7 and 8 as an intermediate/middle school, preparing students for transition to Santa Maria high schools.
Does Fesler provide technology for students?
Yes, every student receives a Chromebook assigned for use at both school and home, and all classrooms feature Epson Brightlink Interactive Displays.
Who is the principal at Fesler Jr High?
Heather Paige serves as principal and can be reached directly at 361-7875 or hpaige@smbsd.net.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fesler?
The school maintains an 18:1 student-teacher ratio with 958 total students enrolled.
Does Fesler offer AVID programming?
Yes, Fesler offers AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) as a college and career readiness program that students and parents identify as the school's strongest academic offering [content:niche].
