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 5 public high schools serving 6,195 students in Santa Barbara Unified School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in Santa Barbara Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Santa Barbara Unified School District have a Graduation Rate of 92%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Dos Pueblos Senior High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
21 Schools
2,790 Schools
# Students
12,247 Students
2,122,151 Students
# Teachers
648 Teachers
101,015 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%
21%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
5%
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 High Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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%
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