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Carpinteria Unified

Above Average2024–25 data6 schools · avg 49.3/100

Carpinteria Unified has 6 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 49.3/100 — 5.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Summerland Elementary at 70/100, where 45.5% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $16,461 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 18.9%, near the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
49.3
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
37.0
33.0 – 70.0
Avg Exceeded %
24.6%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
18.9%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
6
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementarySolid
52.2/100
429.3%16.6%
MiddleDeveloping
33.0/100
114.0%23.3%
HighSolid
53.9/100
116.6%23.7%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Carpinteria Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
52.2
avg score · 4 schools
Canalino Elementary
Developing
48/100
+1 more elementary schools
Middle
33.0
avg score · 1 school
Carpinteria Middle
Developing
33/100
High
53.9
avg score · 1 school

District Analysis

Strongest level: Carpinteria Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 53.9.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -26.9pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 37.0 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 18.9%, 0.7pp near the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 4.7%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Summerland Elementary leads the district at 70 with 45.5% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Carpinteria Unified

1 Strong All-Around1 Solid Base4 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Student demographics

Hispanic
58.8%
White
35.7%
Asian
1.2%
Black
0.3%
Other
4.0%
Free/Reduced Lunch
59%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Carpinteria Unified spends $16,461 per student in current expenditures — $1,646 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$16,461
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
2,091
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 30.9%
$12,572 → $16,461
Spending Efficiency
2.99
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 56%Support 42%Other 2%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$50,367–$103,452
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
126
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (4)

Carpinteria Unified has 4 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 52.2 — 8.4 points above the state average of 43.8. 1 of 4 elementary schools score above 70.

Growth averages -26.9pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Summerland Elementary with a Scope Score of 70 and 45.5% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Summerland Elementary
Carpinteria Unified Strong All-Around
45.5%Strong
70/100
2Carpinteria Family
Carpinteria Unified Solid Base
30.1%Solid
54/100
3Canalino Elementary
Carpinteria Unified Building Momentum
24.6%Developing
48/100
4Aliso Elementary
Carpinteria Unified Building Momentum
17.0%Developing
37/100

Middle Schools (1)

Carpinteria Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 33.0 — 7.5 points below the state average of 40.5.

Growth averages -12.3pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring middle school is Carpinteria Middle with a Scope Score of 33 and 14.0% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Carpinteria Middle
Carpinteria Unified Building Momentum
14.0%Developing
33/100

High Schools (1)

Carpinteria Unified has 1 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 53.9 — 6.4 points above the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Carpinteria Senior High with a Scope Score of 54 and 16.6% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Carpinteria Senior High
Carpinteria Unified Building Momentum
16.6%Solid
54/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Carpinteria Unified

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How resources are distributed across schools within the district

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Is Carpinteria Unified a good school district?
Carpinteria Unified has 6 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 49.3/100, which is 5.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. 24.6% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Carpinteria Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Carpinteria Unified is Summerland Elementary with a Scope Score of 70/100 and 45.5% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Carpinteria Unified spend per student?
Carpinteria Unified spends $16,461 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in Carpinteria Unified?
Teacher salaries in Carpinteria Unified range from $50,367–$103,452 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.