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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Barbara Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 33 public schools serving 13,198 students in Santa Barbara, CA (there are 15 private schools, serving 2,441 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Santa Barbara, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
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 44% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Santa Barbara have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Santa Barbara, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cold Spring Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2243 Sycamore Canyon Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-2678
Gr: K-6 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22.
Montecito Union
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
385 San Ysidro Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-3249
Gr: K-6 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33.
Foothill Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
711 Ribera Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 681-1268
Gr: K-6 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #44.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5465 Queen Anne Ln.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 681-1284
Gr: K-6 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Hope Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3970-a La Colina Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 563-2974
Gr: K-6 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Vieja Valley Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
434 Nogal Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-1239
Gr: K-6 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #77.
Peabody Charter
Charter School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3018 Calle Noguera
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-1172
Gr: K-6 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #88.
Hollister Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4950 Anita Ln.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 681-1271
Gr: K-6 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #99.
Monte Vista Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
730 North Hope Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 687-5333
Gr: K-6 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1010.
La Colina Junior High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4025 Foothill Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4506
Gr: 7-8 | 832 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1111.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
290 Lighthouse Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 965-6653
Gr: K-6 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Alta Vista Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
215 East Ortega St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Gr: 9-12 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Santa Barbara County Community
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-5307
Gr: 5-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-5307
Gr: 5-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1515.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1111 East Mason St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-4283
Gr: K-6 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1616.
Monroe Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
431 Flora Vista Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 966-7023
Gr: K-6 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1717.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1990 Laguna St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 563-2062
Gr: K-6 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1818.
San Marcos Senior High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4750 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Gr: 9-12 | 1,926 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1919.
Adams Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2701 Las Positas Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-2515
Gr: K-6 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2020.
El Camino Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5020 San Simeon Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 692-5574
Gr: K-6 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2121.
Alta Vista
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
215 East Ortega St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Gr: 7-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: #2222.
Harding University Partnership
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1625 Robbins St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-8994
Gr: K-6 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2323.
La Cumbre Junior High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2255 Modoc Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-0761
Gr: 7-8 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2424.
Santa Barbara Junior High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
721 East Cota St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Gr: 7-8 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #2525.
Santa Barbara Senior High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
700 East Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Gr: 9-12 | 1,924 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #2626.
Adelante Charter
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1102 East Yanonali St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-7392
Gr: K-6 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #2727.
Santa Barbara Community Academy
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
850 Portesuello Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-2081
Gr: K-6 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2828.
Cleveland Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
123 Alameda Padre Serra
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-8873
Gr: K-6 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2929.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
350 Loma Alta Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 966-9926
Gr: K-6 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #3030.
La Cuesta Continuation High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
710 Santa Barbara St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Gr: 9-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3131.
Santa Barbara County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 964-4711
Gr: K-12 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Barbara County Rop-south
Vocational School
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-4711
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Barbara Unified Early Childhood
1030 East Yanonali St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-8685

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?
86% of all K-12 students in Santa Barbara are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara public schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Santa Barbara are often viewed compared to one another?

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