Schools
21
listed public schools. We score 12 elementary, five middle and four high.
School district · Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara Unified schools
Santa Barbara Unified’s 12 public elementary schools have Scope Scores from 69 to 84. Its 5 middle schools have Scope Scores from 72 to 88. Its 4 high schools have Scope Scores from 65 to 84.
75 is the typical California school. 100 is the best result in the state.
Students
13,336
in the October 2024–25 enrollment count.
Spending
$21,939
per student in 2024–25. The typical California district spent $20,491.
The path
What is the path through the district?
Santa Barbara Unified has 12 elementary schools, five middle schools and four high schools that we score.
Elementary
12schools
Scope Scores from 69 to 84.
See the elementary schools ↓Middle · 5 schools
- La ColinaScope Score 88
- Goleta ValleyScope Score 82
- Santa Barbara CharterScope Score 78
- La CumbreScope Score 74
- Santa Barbara Junior HighScope Score 72
High · 4 schools
- Dos PueblosScope Score 84
- San MarcosScope Score 78
- Santa Barbara Senior HighScope Score 73
- Alta Vista AlternativeScope Score 65
Each score compares a school with California schools at its own level. The levels are not one ranking. Confirm the school for your address, grade and program with the district.
Elementary schools
Which elementary schools in Santa Barbara Unified score highest?
Washington Elementary is highest, with a Scope Score of 84. That is higher than 84 in 100 California elementary schools we score.
AdvancedProficientBelow the standardEnglish and math tests combined
Rank 1
Washington Elementary
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 477 students
422731% below the standard
Scope Score 84Strong · 84th percentile
Rank 2
Peabody CharterCharter
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 780 students · Check how it admits students.
392635% below the standard
Scope Score 82Strong · 79th percentile
Rank 3
Roosevelt Elementary
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 463 students
341848% below the standard
Scope Score 81Strong · 76th percentile
Rank 4
Adelante CharterCharter
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 306 students · Check how it admits students.
253243% below the standard
Scope Score 81Strong · 75th percentile
Rank 5
Harding University Partnership
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 364 students
292348% below the standard
Scope Score 81Solid · 74th percentile
Rank 6
Santa Barbara CharterCharter
Goleta · Grades K–8 · 269 students · Check how it admits students.
222454% below the standard
Scope Score 79Solid · 68th percentile
Rank 7
Santa Barbara Community Academy
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 221 students
172459% below the standard
Scope Score 76Solid · 54th percentile
Rank 8
Adams Elementary
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 469 students
212059% below the standard
Scope Score 75Solid · 50th percentile
Rank 9
Franklin Elementary
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 424 students
163351% below the standard
Scope Score 74Developing · 46th percentile
Rank 10
Monroe Elementary
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 315 students
122464% below the standard
Scope Score 73Developing · 39th percentile
Show the other 2 elementary schools
Rank 11
Cleveland Elementary
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 254 students
2469% below the standard
Scope Score 69Needs Support · 13th percentile
Rank 12
McKinley Elementary
Santa Barbara · Grades K–6 · 293 students
1085% below the standard
Scope Score 69Needs Support · 12th percentile
The average elementary school in Santa Barbara Unified had 15 in 100 students chronically absent in 2025–26. The average California elementary school we score had 17 in 100.
Each score compares a school with the 5,726 California elementary schools we score. Source: California Department of Education, state tests (CAASPP), spring 2026. Chronically absent means a student missed 10% or more of school days. Each figure is an average of school rates. Each school counts once.
Middle schools
Which middle schools in Santa Barbara Unified score highest?
La Colina Junior High is highest, with a Scope Score of 88. That is higher than 92 in 100 California middle schools we score.
AdvancedProficientBelow the standardEnglish and math tests combined
Rank 1
La Colina Junior High
Santa Barbara · Grades 7–8 · 832 students
393130% below the standard
Scope Score 88Strong · 92nd percentile
Rank 2
Goleta Valley Junior High
Goleta · Grades 7–8 · 731 students
282745% below the standard
Scope Score 82Strong · 80th percentile
Rank 3
Santa Barbara CharterCharter
Goleta · Grades K–8 · 269 students · Check how it admits students.
183052% below the standard
Scope Score 78Solid · 64th percentile
Rank 4
La Cumbre Junior High
Santa Barbara · Grades 7–8 · 426 students
142363% below the standard
Scope Score 74Developing · 43rd percentile
Rank 5
Santa Barbara Junior High
Santa Barbara · Grades 7–8 · 512 students
132166% below the standard
Scope Score 72Developing · 31st percentile
The average middle school in Santa Barbara Unified had 17 in 100 students chronically absent in 2025–26. The average California middle school we score had 18 in 100.
Each score compares a school with the 2,529 California middle schools we score. Source: California Department of Education, state tests (CAASPP), spring 2026.
High schools
Which high schools in Santa Barbara Unified score highest?
Dos Pueblos Senior High is highest, with a Scope Score of 84. That is higher than 83 in 100 California high schools we score.
AdvancedProficientBelow the standardEnglish and math tests combined
Rank 1
Dos Pueblos Senior High
Goleta · Grades 9–12 · 2,149 students
342343% below the standard
Scope Score 84Strong · 83rd percentile
Rank 2
San Marcos Senior High
Santa Barbara · Grades 9–12 · 1,926 students
242155% below the standard
Scope Score 78Solid · 62nd percentile
Rank 3
Santa Barbara Senior High
Santa Barbara · Grades 9–12 · 1,924 students
2368% below the standard
Scope Score 73Developing · 39th percentile
Rank 4
Alta Vista Alternative High
Santa Barbara · Grades 9–12 · 119 students · Check how it admits students.
1382% below the standard
Scope Score 65Needs Support · 8th percentile
The average high school in Santa Barbara Unified had 34 in 100 students chronically absent in 2025–26. The average California high school we score had 22 in 100.
1 high school not ranked statewide
It is compared only with other continuation schools, so it is listed apart.
- La Cuesta Continuation HighContinuation high school
Each score compares a school with the 1,498 California high schools we score. Source: California Department of Education, state tests (CAASPP), spring 2025. The state called the top two levels Exceeded and Met in spring 2025.
Against California
How does the district compare with California?
15 in 100 students at the average elementary school here were chronically absent. The California figure is 17 in 100.
Students who miss a lot of school
Average elementary school, students in 100
Santa Barbara Unified15 in 100
California17 in 100
Students from low-income families
Qualify for free or reduced-price meals
Santa Barbara Unified58%
California63%
Spending per student
Day-to-day spending, 2024–25
Santa Barbara Unified$21,939
Typical district$20,491
English learners who moved up a level
On the state’s English test (ELPAC)
Santa Barbara Unified50%
California47%
Absence: averages of school rates, each elementary school counted once, 2025–26. Meals: 7,721 of 13,333 students, 2024–25, summed from the state’s meal counts for every school listed under the district, charters included. Spending: day-to-day spending per student in average daily attendance, 2024–25. The typical district is the middle one when California districts are put in order. English learners: From spring 2025 to spring 2026, 50% of the district’s English learners moved up at least one level on the state’s English test (ELPAC), or stayed at the top (548 of 1,098 students). California: 47%. It counts students moving up the test’s levels, so a student can count here before becoming fluent. Source: California Department of Education, English learner progress files.
The district
Where does Santa Barbara Unified’s money go?
About 56 cents of every Santa Barbara Unified dollar went to classroom instruction.
$21,939
spent per student in the 2024–25 school year. The typical California district spent $20,491.
Every dollar, by what it paid for
56¢15¢12¢10¢6¢
- Instruction56%
- Instruction support15%
- Student services12%
- Buildings & maintenance10%
- Administration6%
- Other1%
The district’s 2026–27 spending plan puts $25.9 million into 26 funded actions in 4 goals. That is 10% of its $262.9 million general fund budget. These are planned amounts. The district reports what it spent in a later plan.
Spending is day-to-day spending per student in average daily attendance, from the district’s annual financial report (SACS) to the California Department of Education, 2024–25. It covers the whole district, including central administration. Shares are rounded so they add up to 100. Planned amounts are from the yearly spending plan (LCAP) as posted to the California School Dashboard.
State records
Who attends, and is the state giving extra help?
13,336 students were enrolled in the October 2024–25 count. Santa Barbara Unified isn’t getting extra state help in 2026, only the standard support every district gets.
Who goes to the district’s schools
- Hispanic or Latino 59%
- White 31%
- Two or more races 4%
- Other or not reported 6%
Is the state giving the district extra help?
Santa Barbara Unified isn’t getting extra state help in 2026, only the standard support every district gets.
State results from the 2026 California School Dashboard. Source: District help (CDE).2 schools getting state support, 2025–26
- La Cuesta Continuation HighMost intensive support, graduation rate
- Roosevelt ElementaryTargeted support: students with disabilities
Common questions
What do parents ask about this district?
Are the public schools in Santa Barbara Unified good?
Santa Barbara Unified’s 12 public elementary schools have Scope Scores from 69 to 84. Of those, 4 are Strong, 4 are Solid, 2 are Developing and 2 are Needs Support. Santa Barbara Unified’s 5 public middle schools have Scope Scores from 72 to 88. Of those, 2 are Strong, 1 is Solid and 2 are Developing. Santa Barbara Unified’s 4 public high schools have Scope Scores from 65 to 84. Of those, 1 is Strong, 1 is Solid, 1 is Developing and 1 is Needs Support. 75 is the typical California school. 100 is the best result in the state. How we score schools.
Which public schools in Santa Barbara Unified rank highest?
Washington Elementary is the highest elementary school, with a Scope Score of 84. It is Strong, at the 84th percentile. La Colina Junior High is the highest middle school, with a Scope Score of 88. It is Strong, at the 92nd percentile. Dos Pueblos Senior High is the highest high school, with a Scope Score of 84. It is Strong, at the 83rd percentile. Each score compares a school with the California schools at the same level we score. A rank doesn’t decide fit or whether a child can enroll.
How does chronic absence in Santa Barbara Unified compare with California?
The average elementary school in Santa Barbara Unified had 15 in 100 students chronically absent in 2025–26. The average California elementary school we score had 17 in 100. Chronically absent means a student missed 10% or more of school days. Each figure is an average of school rates. Each school counts once. The average middle school in Santa Barbara Unified had 17 in 100 students chronically absent in 2025–26. The average California middle school we score had 18 in 100. The average high school in Santa Barbara Unified had 34 in 100 students chronically absent in 2025–26. The average California high school we score had 22 in 100.
How much does Santa Barbara Unified spend per student?
Santa Barbara Unified spent $21,939 per student in the 2024–25 school year. That’s close to the typical California district, which spent $20,491. About 56 cents of every Santa Barbara Unified dollar went to classroom instruction. Day-to-day spending per student in average daily attendance, from its annual financial report to the California Department of Education. The district’s spending, by function.
What is in Santa Barbara Unified’s 2026–27 spending plan?
The district’s 2026–27 spending plan puts $25.9 million into 26 funded actions in 4 goals. That is 10% of its $262.9 million general fund budget. Its largest goal holds $19.5 million, 75% of the action budgets. The 2026–27 plan, goal by goal.
Does living in the Santa Barbara Unified district decide which school my child attends?
Not by itself. Attendance boundaries, programs, transfers and space all matter. Confirm the school for your address, grade and program with the district.
Where do these results come from?
The test results are from California’s state tests (CAASPP). They are from spring 2026 for elementary and middle schools. The results are from spring 2025 for high schools. Chronic-absence rates are for 2025–26. The California Department of Education publishes both. Percentiles, bands and Scope Scores are SchoolScope’s calculations. How we score schools.
Next
Which places nearby can you look at next?
Schools in Goleta
Every public school with a Goleta address.
Compare schoolsSee the same numbers for each school.
Open the mapSee these schools on the map.
Cities in the district
Districts nearby
Sources and methodology
This page lists the public schools governed and funded by Santa Barbara Unified, with the district’s spending and state records.
Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2025–26 elementary and middle school; 2024–25 high school
Percentiles, bands and Scope Scores are SchoolScope’s own calculations from these state files.
State tests are the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), springs 2025 and 2026.
Download these schools (CSV) Free to use under CC BY 4.0 with attribution.