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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Barbara Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public high schools serving 4,153 students in Santa Barbara, CA.
The top-ranked public high schools in Santa Barbara, CA are Alta Vista Alternative High School, Santa Barbara County Community and Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Barbara, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Santa Barbara have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public high schools.
Santa Barbara, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is San Marcos Senior High School, with 93% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in Santa Barbara, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
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: #1 - 31. - 3.
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: #1 - 31. - 3.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Santa Barbara, CA?
The top-ranked public high schools in Santa Barbara, CA include Alta Vista Alternative High School, Santa Barbara County Community and Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court.
How many public high schools are located in Santa Barbara?
8 public high schools are located in Santa Barbara.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara public high schools minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Santa Barbara are often viewed compared to one another?

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