Top Rankings
Santa Barbara Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 12,247 students in Santa Barbara Unified School District. This district's average testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in Santa Barbara Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the California public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
21 Schools
10,323 Schools
# Students
12,247 Students
5,788,587 Students
# Teachers
648 Teachers
267,491 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Santa Barbara Unified School District, which is ranked #628 of all 1,903 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 92% has increased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#599 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
29%
Graduation Rate
92%
86.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)25.5%
27.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.63
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
12%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
59%
56%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
1%
5%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
% White
31%
20%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $24,352 in this school district is less than the state median of $26,022. The school district revenue/student has grown by 22% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $22,634 is higher than the state median of $22,604. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$298 MM
$150,628 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$277 MM
$130,845 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$24,352
$26,022
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$22,634
$22,604
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Best Santa Barbara Unified School District Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Santa Barbara Charter
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6100 Stow Canyon Rd.
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 967-6522
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 967-6522
Gr: K-8 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #22.
La Colina Junior High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4025 Foothill Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4506
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4506
Gr: 7-8 | 832 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #33.
Dos Pueblos Senior High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7266 Alameda Ave.
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 968-2541
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 968-2541
Gr: 9-12 | 2,149 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #44.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
290 Lighthouse Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 965-6653
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 965-6653
Gr: K-6 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #55.
Goleta Valley Junior High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6100 Stow Canyon Rd.
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 967-3486
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 967-3486
Gr: 7-8 | 731 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #66.
Alta Vista Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
215 East Ortega St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Gr: 9-12 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #77.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1111 East Mason St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-4283
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-4283
Gr: K-6 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #88.
Monroe Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
431 Flora Vista Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 966-7023
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 966-7023
Gr: K-6 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #99.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1990 Laguna St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 563-2062
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 563-2062
Gr: K-6 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1010.
San Marcos Senior High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4750 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Gr: 9-12 | 1,926 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1111.
Adams Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2701 Las Positas Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-2515
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-2515
Gr: K-6 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1212.
Alta Vista
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
215 East Ortega St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Gr: 7-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: #1313.
Harding University Partnership
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1625 Robbins St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-8994
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-8994
Gr: K-6 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1414.
La Cumbre Junior High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2255 Modoc Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-0761
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-0761
Gr: 7-8 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1515.
Santa Barbara Junior High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
721 East Cota St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Gr: 7-8 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1616.
Santa Barbara Senior High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
700 East Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Gr: 9-12 | 1,924 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1717.
Santa Barbara Community Academy
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
850 Portesuello Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-2081
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-2081
Gr: K-6 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1818.
Cleveland Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
123 Alameda Padre Serra
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-8873
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-8873
Gr: K-6 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1919.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
350 Loma Alta Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 966-9926
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 966-9926
Gr: K-6 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2020.
La Cuesta Continuation High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
710 Santa Barbara St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Gr: 9-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: n/an/a
1030 East Yanonali St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-8685
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-8685
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Santa Barbara Unified School District?
Santa Barbara Unified School District manages 21 public schools serving 12,247 students.
What is the rank of Santa Barbara Unified School District?
Santa Barbara Unified School District is ranked #628 out of 1,903 school districts in California (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Barbara Unified School District?
59% of Santa Barbara Unified School District students are Hispanic, 31% of students are White, 6% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Santa Barbara Unified School District?
Santa Barbara Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 19:1, which is lower than the California state average of 22:1.
What is Santa Barbara Unified School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $22,634 is higher than the state median of $22,604. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Recent Articles
Can Your Child Get Into School Clubs and Activities?
Discover whether your child can access advertised school clubs and activities, including enrollment limits, tryouts, fees, transportation, scheduling conflicts, and essential questions parents should ask before choosing schools today.
Who Supervises Students When Their Teacher Is Out?
Discover who supervises students when regular teachers are absent, how schools arrange classroom coverage, what qualifications substitutes need, and which questions parents should ask about safety and learning continuity.
When the School Nurse Isn't There: Parent Guide
Learn what happens when school nurses are absent, how public schools handle medications and emergencies, and which essential questions parents should ask to protect their children's health and safety daily.
