Top Rankings
Santa Barbara Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public elementary schools serving 3,598 students in Santa Barbara Unified School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in California.
Public Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the California public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
21 Schools
7,700 Schools
# Students
12,484 Students
3,822,920 Students
# Teachers
644 Teachers
174,000 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
District Rank
Santa Barbara Unified School District, which is ranked #661 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 95% has increased from 88% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#663 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
33%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
47%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
29%

Graduation Rate
95%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.55
0.64
# American Indian Students
25 Students
16,785 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
349 Students
454,357 Students
% Asian Students
3%
12%
# Hispanic Students
7,483 Students
2,114,366 Students
% Hispanic Students
60%
55%
# Black Students
81 Students
189,461 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%
# White Students
3,810 Students
787,389 Students
% White Students
30%
21%
# Hawaiian Students
9 Students
15,077 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
702 Students
240,557 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
-
83
# Students in K Grade:
628
519,574
# Students in 1st Grade:
470
396,601
# Students in 2nd Grade:
479
414,466
# Students in 3rd Grade:
434
416,628
# Students in 4th Grade:
529
426,360
# Students in 5th Grade:
527
430,582
# Students in 6th Grade:
519
432,936
# Students in 7th Grade:
1,289
312,207
# Students in 8th Grade:
1,307
312,649
# Students in 9th Grade:
1,495
44,929
# Students in 10th Grade:
1,559
37,487
# Students in 11th Grade:
1,556
37,249
# Students in 12th Grade:
1,692
41,169
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
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 Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Santa Barbara Charter
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6100 Stow Canyon Rd.
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 967-6522
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 967-6522
Grades: K-8
| 290 students
Rank: #22.
Washington Elementary 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
| 486 students
Rank: #33.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1111 East Mason St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-4283
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-4283
Grades: K-6
| 436 students
Rank: #44.
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
Grades: K-6
| 321 students
Rank: #55.
Roosevelt Elementary 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
| 477 students
Rank: #66.
Adams Elementary 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
| 491 students
Rank: #77.
Santa Barbara Community Academy
(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
| 202 students
Rank: #88.
Harding University Partnership
(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
| 378 students
Rank: #99.
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
Grades: K-6
| 264 students
Rank: #1010.
Cleveland Elementary 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
| 253 students
Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.

10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.

February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.