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Elementary Schools in Goleta, California: Goleta schools average 6.9 points above the state — but the range is 27.4 points wide.

Above Average2024–25 data6 schools · avg 51.8/100

Goleta, California has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 51.8/100 — 6.9 points above the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Isla Vista Elementary at 66/100, where 37.1% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Goleta schools average 28.4% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 11.6% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
51.8
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
27.4
39.1 – 66.5
Avg Exceeded %
28.4%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
11.6%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
6
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary6Solid
51.8/100
28.4%+6.9
High1Solid
60.9/100
33.8%+17.1
Middle1Solid
54.6/100
27.2%+11.9

How Goleta schools compare

Goleta has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 51.8/100 — 6.9 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Isla Vista Elementary with a Scope Score of 66 and 37.1% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Goleta schools average 28.4% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.

Chronic absenteeism in Goleta averages 11.6% — below the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%

School archetypes in Goleta

3 Culture First2 Strong All-Around1 Building Momentum

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

For the data nerds

Every school in Goleta

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Isla Vista Elementary
Goleta Union Elementary Strong All-Around
37.1%Solid
66/100
2Dos Pueblos Senior High
Santa Barbara Unified Strong All-Around
33.8%Solid
61/100
3Kellogg Elementary
Goleta Union Elementary Strong All-Around
38.0%Solid
60/100
4Brandon Elementary
Goleta Union Elementary Culture First
24.6%Solid
57/100
5Goleta Valley Junior High
Santa Barbara Unified Building Momentum
27.2%Solid
55/100
6Santa Barbara Charter
Santa Barbara Unified Building Momentum
23.6%Developing
46/100
7La Patera Elementary
Goleta Union Elementary Culture First
18.9%Developing
42/100
8Ellwood Elementary
Goleta Union Elementary Culture First
28.0%Developing
39/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 8 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

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.

Private Schools in Goleta

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Coastline Christian Academy
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-8 · 142 students
14:1Private
Montessori Center School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-6 · 119 students
5:1Private
South Coast Montessori
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K · 3 students
3:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Goleta

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Goleta good?
Goleta's 6 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 51.8/100, which is 6.9 points above the state average. 28.4% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights seven dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), ELPAC proficiency (5%), suspension rate (5%), and baseline proficiency (3%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Goleta?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Goleta is Isla Vista Elementary with a Scope Score of 66/100 and 37.1% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Goleta schools compare to the state average?
Goleta elementary schools average a Scope Score of 51.8/100 — 6.9 points above the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 28.4% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 11.6% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Goleta?
Goleta has 6 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

Related

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