Serving 801 students in grades 9-12, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-44% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 70-74% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 20:1 is lower than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 801 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 90-94% (Top 30% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 40-44% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 70-74% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 40-44% (Top 30%)
- Attendance Zone: Santa Ynez Valley Union High's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district in Solvang, CA, covering approximately 1,260.2 square miles. Families can expect a typical drive of 20-30 minutes to the school, with the furthest edge of the zone located about 39.2 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School's student population of 801 students has declined by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 41 teachers has declined by 6% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
801 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
41 teachers
Showing 2014–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1896
School Calendar
School Motto
We are Pirates
School Rankings
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School ranks within the top 20% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School is 0.55, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1852 out of 9523 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
34%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-74%
47%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
21:1
Showing 2014–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
1%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
50%
56%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
45%
20%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
4%
6%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
90-94%
86.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)21.7%
27.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
25%
54%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
8%
Showing 2011–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Black, Orange
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Santa Ynez Valley Union High School's ranking?
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School is ranked #1852 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in California.
What schools are Santa Ynez Valley Union High School often compared to?
Santa Ynez Valley Union High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Dos Pueblos Senior High School, Santa Barbara Senior High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 70-74% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School?
The graduation rate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School is 90-94%, which is higher than the California state average of 86.2%.
How many students attend Santa Ynez Valley Union High School?
801 students attend Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
50% of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School students are Hispanic, 45% of students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School?
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is lower than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Santa Ynez Valley Union High School offer ?
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Santa Ynez Valley Union High School part of?
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School is part of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District.
School Reviews
Review Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
