Santa Barbara Senior High School, "Home of the Dons," is situated on a sprawling 40-acre campus in Santa Barbara, California in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.
Serving 1,924 students in grades 9-12, Santa Barbara Senior High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 22% (which is lower than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 33% (which is lower than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is lower than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,924 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 93% (Top 30% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 22% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 33% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 23% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
School Overview
Santa Barbara Senior High School's student population of 1,924 students has declined by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 99 teachers has grown by 7% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,924 students
Total Classroom Teachers
99 teachers
Year Founded
1875
School Motto
Once a Don, Always a Don
School Rankings
Santa Barbara Senior High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Santa Barbara Senior High School is 0.53, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#6170 out of 9523 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
2%
12%
Hispanic
62%
56%
Black
1%
5%
White
30%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
93%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
48%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
14%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Santa Barbara Senior High School's ranking?
Santa Barbara Senior High School is ranked #6170 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
What schools are Santa Barbara Senior High School often compared to?
Santa Barbara Senior High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like San Marcos Senior High School, Dos Pueblos Senior High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
22% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 33% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Santa Barbara Senior High School?
The graduation rate of Santa Barbara Senior High School is 93%, which is higher than the California state average of 87%.
How many students attend Santa Barbara Senior High School?
1,924 students attend Santa Barbara Senior High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
62% of Santa Barbara Senior High School students are Hispanic, 30% of students are White, 5% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Santa Barbara Senior High School?
Santa Barbara Senior High School has a student ration of 19:1, which is lower than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Santa Barbara Senior High School offer ?
Santa Barbara Senior High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Santa Barbara Senior High School part of?
Santa Barbara Senior High School is part of Santa Barbara Unified School District.
In what neighborhood is Santa Barbara Senior High School located?
Santa Barbara Senior High School is located in the Laguna neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA. There are 3 other public schools located in Laguna.
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