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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Barbara County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 41 public middle schools serving 15,010 students in Santa Barbara County, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Barbara County, CA are Santa Barbara Charter, La Colina Junior High School and Solvang Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Barbara County, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Santa Barbara County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Santa Barbara County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Santa Barbara Charter
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6100 Stow Canyon Rd.
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 967-6522
Gr: K-8 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
Solvang Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
565 Atterdag Rd.
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-4810
Gr: K-8 | 602 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Los Olivos Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2540 Alamo Pintado Ave.
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-4025
Gr: K-8 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Trivium Charter School Voyage
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4597 Hollister Dr.
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 291-1303
Gr: K-12
Rank: #66.
Orcutt Academy Charter
Charter School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
500 Dyer St.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8900
Gr: K-12 | 812 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #77.
Benjamin Foxen Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4949 Foxen Canyon Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 937-1148
Gr: K-8 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #88.
Goleta Valley Junior High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6100 Stow Canyon Rd.
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 967-3486
Gr: 7-8 | 731 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #99.
Santa Ynez Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3325 Pine St.
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
(805) 686-7310
Gr: 1-8 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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: #1212.
Vista De Las Cruces
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
9467 San Julian Rd.
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 686-1880
Gr: K-8 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1313.
Santa Ynez Valley Charter
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1224 Tyndall St.
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
(805) 686-7360
Gr: K-8 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1414.
Orcutt Junior High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
608 Pinal St.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8700
Gr: 7-8 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1515.
Jonata Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
301 Second St.
Buellton, CA 93427
(805) 688-4222
Gr: 6-8 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1616.
Trivium Charter School Adventure
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1600 Berkeley Dr.
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 291-1303
Gr: K-12 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 38:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1717.
Vandenberg Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Mountain View Blvd.
Lompoc, CA 93438
(805) 742-2700
Gr: 7-8 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1818.
Family Partnership Charter
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1157 E. Clark Ave. Ste. H
Santa Maria, CA 93456
(805) 348-3333
Gr: K-12 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1919.
Lakeview Junior High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3700 Orcutt Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 938-8600
Gr: 7-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2020.
Carpinteria Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5351 Carpinteria Ave.
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4544
Gr: 6-8 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #2121.
Trivium Charter
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1550 South College Dr.
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 291-1303
Gr: K-12
Rank: #2222.
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: #2323.
Orcutt School For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1220 Oak Knoll Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 960-5572
Gr: K-8 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2424.
Dr Bob Forinash Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
320 North J St.
Lompoc, CA 93438
(805) 742-2940
Gr: 7-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2525.
Olive Grove Charter - Buellton
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
240 East Highway 246, Ste. 100
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Gr: K-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2626.
Olga L. Reed Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
480 Centennial St.
Los Alamos, CA 93440
(805) 344-2401
Gr: K-8 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #2727.
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: #2828.
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: #2929.
Jimenez Roberto And Dr. Francisco Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1970 South Biscayne St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 361-4340
Gr: K-8 | 1,177 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3030.
Cuyama Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2300 Highway 166
New Cuyama, CA 93254
(661) 766-2642
Gr: K-8 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3131.
Mission Valley
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
320 North J St.
Lompoc, CA 93438
(805) 742-2940
Gr: K-8 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #3232.
Olive Grove Charter - Santa Barbara
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1933 Cliff Dr., Ste.12
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Gr: K-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #3333.
Kunst (Tommie) Junior High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
930 Hidden Pines Way
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 361-5800
Gr: 7-8 | 912 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3434.
Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/santa Maria
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5075 Bradley Rd., Ste. 234
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Gr: K-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #3535.
Olive Grove Charter - Lompoc
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
820 North H St. Suites Bcd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 623-1111
Gr: K-12 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Show 6 more public schools in Santa Barbara County, CA (out of 41 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Barbara County, CA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Barbara County, CA include Santa Barbara Charter, La Colina Junior High School and Solvang Elementary School.
How many public middle schools are located in Santa Barbara County?
41 public middle schools are located in Santa Barbara County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Barbara County?
Santa Barbara County public middle schools minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Santa Barbara County are often viewed compared to one another?

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