For the 2024-25 school year, there are 33 public schools serving 13,463 students in Santa Barbara, CA (there are 18 private schools, serving 2,754 private students). 83% of all K-12 students in Santa Barbara, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Santa Barbara, CA are Cold Spring Elementary School, Montecito Union and Foothill Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Barbara, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Santa Barbara have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Santa Barbara, CA (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Cold Spring Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2243 Sycamore Canyon Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-2678
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-2678
Grades: K-6
| 193 students
Rank: #22.
Montecito Union
Magnet School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
385 San Ysidro Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-3249
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-3249
Grades: K-6
| 353 students
Rank: #33.
Foothill Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
711 Ribera Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 681-1268
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 681-1268
Grades: K-6
| 374 students
Rank: #44.
Mountain View Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5465 Queen Anne Ln.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 681-1284
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 681-1284
Grades: K-6
| 352 students
Rank: #55.
Hope Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3970-a La Colina Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 563-2974
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 563-2974
Grades: K-6
| 269 students
Rank: #66.
Vieja Valley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
434 Nogal Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-1239
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-1239
Grades: K-6
| 300 students
Rank: #77.
Peabody Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3018 Calle Noguera
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-1172
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-1172
Grades: K-6
| 767 students
Rank: #88.
Hollister Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4950 Anita Ln.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 681-1271
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 681-1271
Grades: K-6
| 344 students
Rank: #99.
Monte Vista Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
730 N. Hope Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 687-5333
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 687-5333
Grades: K-6
| 270 students
Rank: #1010.
Washington Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50% | 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
Grades: K-6
| 524 students
Rank: #1111.
La Colina Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4025 Foothill Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4506
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4506
Grades: 7-8
| 900 students
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Alta Vista Alternative High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
215 E. Ortega St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Grades: 9-12
| 117 students
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Santa Barbara County Community
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-5307
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-5307
Grades: 5-12
| 9 students
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-5307
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-5307
Grades: 5-12
| 19 students
Rank: #1515.
Franklin Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1111 E. Mason St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-4283
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-4283
Grades: K-6
| 441 students
Rank: #1616.
Monroe Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: K-6
| 322 students
Rank: #1717.
El Camino Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5020 San Simeon Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 692-5574
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 692-5574
Grades: K-6
| 313 students
Rank: #1818.
Roosevelt Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1990 Laguna St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 563-2062
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 563-2062
Grades: K-6
| 442 students
Rank: #1919.
San Marcos Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4750 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Grades: 9-12
| 2,020 students
Rank: #2020.
Adams Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2701 Las Positas Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-2515
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-2515
Grades: K-6
| 517 students
Rank: #2121.
La Cumbre Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2255 Modoc Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-0761
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-0761
Grades: 7-8
| 458 students
Rank: #2222.
Santa Barbara Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
721 E. Cota St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Grades: 7-8
| 560 students
Rank: #2323.
Santa Barbara Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
700 E. Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Grades: 9-12
| 2,107 students
Rank: #2424.
Santa Barbara Community Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
850 Portesuello Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-2081
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-2081
Grades: K-6
| 197 students
Rank: #2525.
Adelante Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1102 E. Yanonali St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-7392
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-7392
Grades: K-6
| 297 students
Rank: #2626.
Harding University Partnership
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1625 Robbins St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-8994
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-8994
Grades: K-6
| 353 students
Rank: #2727.
Alta Vista
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
215 E. Ortega St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Grades: 7-8
| 7 students
Rank: #2828.
Mckinley Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: K-6
| 257 students
Rank: #2929.
La Cuesta Continuation High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 80 students
Rank: #3030.
Cleveland Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
123 Alameda Padre Serra
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-8873
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-8873
Grades: K-6
| 243 students
Rank: #3131.
Santa Barbara County Special Education
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 964-4711
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 964-4711
Grades: K-12
| 58 students
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Barbara County Rop-south
Vocational School
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-4711
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-4711
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1030 E. Yanonali St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-8685
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-8685
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Santa Barbara, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Community Day (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
4025 Foothill Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 966-0883
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 966-0883
Grades: 7-8
| n/a students
Home School Santa Barbara Elementary School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
721 Cota St Rm. 153
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 896-2634
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 896-2634
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
Home School Santa Barbara Secondary (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
721 Cota St Rm. 153
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
4025 Foothill Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 683-3127
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 683-3127
Grades: K-6
| 70 students
San Marcos Bridge Elementary School (Closed 2017)
Alternative School
4750 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Santa Barbara Alternative Elementary School (Closed 2017)
Alternative School
700 E. Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
Po Box 6307
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 964-4711
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 964-4711
Grades: K-12
| 274 students
Summit High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
430 East Gutierrez St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-7490
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-7490
Grades: 9-12
| 1 students
Summit High School Ii (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
430 East Gutierrez St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-7490
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-7490
Grades: 9-12
| 13 students
Visions Academy Charter (Closed 2015)
Charter School
3412 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(661) 272-1225
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(661) 272-1225
Grades: K-12
| 11 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Santa Barbara, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Santa Barbara, CA include Cold Spring Elementary School, Montecito Union and Foothill Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Santa Barbara?
33 public schools are located in Santa Barbara.
What percentage of students in Santa Barbara go to public school?
83% of all K-12 students in Santa Barbara are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara public schools minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Santa Barbara are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Santa Barbara include: La Cumbre Junior High School vs. La Colina Junior High School, Cold Spring Elementary School vs. Montecito Union, Santa Barbara Community Academy vs. Monroe Elementary School
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