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 2025 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 12,484 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 34%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 69% 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
10,369 Schools
# Students
12,484 Students
5,826,838 Students
# Teachers
644 Teachers
268,018 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Santa Barbara Unified School District, which is ranked #629 of all 1,910 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%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
29%
Graduation Rate
92%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.55
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
12%
% Hispanic
60%
56%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
30%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,994 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,002 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$237 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$237 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,994
$19,974
Spending / Student
$19,002
$18,396
Best Santa Barbara Unified School District Public Schools (2025)
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 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
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 | 893 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
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 | 2,075 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
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 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
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 | 736 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
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 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
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 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
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 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
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 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 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 | 1,943 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
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 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
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: 7-9 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
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 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
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 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
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 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 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 | 2,046 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
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 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
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 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
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 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 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 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
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 12,484 students.
What is the rank of Santa Barbara Unified School District?
Santa Barbara Unified School District is ranked #629 out of 1,910 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?
60% of Santa Barbara Unified School District students are Hispanic, 30% 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 $19,002 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
