Santa Barbara County Schools & Education
Santa Barbara County, California
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
68/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
91.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,691
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,762
School Score
68/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#6
of 58 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Santa Barbara County
School Verdict
Santa Barbara County performs at an average level with a school score of 68/100 and a solid graduation rate of 91.3%.
Funding Context
Santa Barbara County spends $8,691 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Santa Barbara County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 23% above the California average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Santa Barbara County, California
Expansive Education Systems from Coast to Valley
Santa Barbara County oversees 128 public schools serving 66,744 students across 35 different districts. The landscape consists of 76 elementary, 16 middle, and 21 high schools, supplemented by 15 specialized programs. Charter schools are a significant presence here, representing nearly 12% of all public school options.
Elite Graduation Rates with Lean Spending
The county achieves an impressive 91.3% graduation rate, far surpassing the national average of 87.0%. This success comes despite a per-pupil expenditure of $8,691, which sits just below the California state average of $8,762. The composite school score of 57.9 remains comfortably above the state median.
Major Districts Powering Central Coast Learning
Santa Maria-Bonita is the county's largest district by enrollment, serving 16,703 students, followed by Santa Barbara Unified with 12,579 students. The Santa Maria Joint Union High district manages the county's largest individual campuses, including Pioneer Valley High with 3,220 students. These large districts anchor the educational experience for the majority of local youth.
A Diverse Mix of Coastal and Inland Locales
The county's schools are split between suburban settings and urban centers, with a handful of town and rural campuses in the mix. Large high schools define the teenage experience, with campuses like Santa Maria High and Dos Pueblos Senior High serving over 2,000 students each. The average school size across all levels stands at 543 students.
Find Your Home Near Elite High Schools
With graduation rates exceeding 91%, Santa Barbara County offers some of the most consistent academic outcomes in the state. Families often target homes within the Santa Barbara Unified or Lompoc Unified districts to secure access to these high-performing programs. Consider school proximity as you explore the unique neighborhoods of the Central Coast.
School Overview
Total Schools
128
in Santa Barbara County
Total Enrollment
66,744
students
School Districts
35
districts
Charter Schools
15
12% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
35 School Districts in Santa Barbara County
Santa Maria-Bonita
Santa Barbara Unified
Santa Maria Joint Union High
Lompoc Unified
Orcutt Union Elementary
Goleta Union Elementary
Carpinteria Unified
Guadalupe Union Elementary
Santa Ynez Valley Union High
Hope Elementary
128 Public Schools in Santa Barbara County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pioneer Valley High | Santa Maria Joint Union High | 9–12 | High | 3,220 |
| Santa Maria High | Santa Maria Joint Union High | 9–12 | High | 3,196 |
| Ernest Righetti High | Santa Maria Joint Union High | 9–12 | High | 2,494 |
| Santa Barbara Senior High | Santa Barbara Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,107 |
| Dos Pueblos Senior High | Santa Barbara Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,034 |
| San Marcos Senior High | Santa Barbara Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,020 |
| Lompoc High | Lompoc Unified | 9–12 | High | 1,690 |
| Cabrillo High | Lompoc Unified | 9–12 | High | 1,066 |
| Kunst (Tommie) Junior High | Santa Maria-Bonita | 7–8 | Middle | 1,030 |
| Fesler (Isaac) Junior High | Santa Maria-Bonita | 7–8 | Middle | 959 |
| Bruce (Robert) Elementary | Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–6 | Primary | 951 |
| Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary | Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–8 | Primary | 938 |
| Alvin Elementary | Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–6 | Primary | 914 |
| Rice (William) Elementary | Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–6 | Primary | 913 |
| La Colina Junior High | Santa Barbara Unified | 7–8 | Middle | 900 |
| Liberty Elementary | Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–6 | Primary | 873 |
| Miller (Isaac) Elementary | Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–6 | Primary | 858 |
| Adam (William Laird) Elementary | Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–6 | Primary | 856 |
| Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary | Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–6 | Primary | 854 |
| Santa Ynez Valley Union High | Santa Ynez Valley Union High | 9–12 | High | 847 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,691
State avg $8,762
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Santa Barbara County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Santa Barbara County?
How much does Santa Barbara County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Santa Barbara County, California — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Santa Barbara County, California?
Santa Barbara County oversees 128 public schools serving 66,744 students across 35 different districts. The landscape consists of 76 elementary, 16 middle, and 21 high schools, supplemented by 15 specialized programs. Charter schools are a significant presence here, representing nearly 12% of all public school options.
How do schools in Santa Barbara County perform academically?
The county achieves an impressive 91.3% graduation rate, far surpassing the national average of 87.0%. This success comes despite a per-pupil expenditure of $8,691, which sits just below the California state average of $8,762. The composite school score of 57.9 remains comfortably above the state median.
What are the major school districts in Santa Barbara County, California?
Santa Maria-Bonita is the county's largest district by enrollment, serving 16,703 students, followed by Santa Barbara Unified with 12,579 students. The Santa Maria Joint Union High district manages the county's largest individual campuses, including Pioneer Valley High with 3,220 students. These large districts anchor the educational experience for the majority of local youth.
What is the school experience like in Santa Barbara County?
The county's schools are split between suburban settings and urban centers, with a handful of town and rural campuses in the mix. Large high schools define the teenage experience, with campuses like Santa Maria High and Dos Pueblos Senior High serving over 2,000 students each. The average school size across all levels stands at 543 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Santa Barbara County, California?
With graduation rates exceeding 91%, Santa Barbara County offers some of the most consistent academic outcomes in the state. Families often target homes within the Santa Barbara Unified or Lompoc Unified districts to secure access to these high-performing programs. Consider school proximity as you explore the unique neighborhoods of the Central Coast.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.