Best Public Schools in Santa Barbara, CA

The city of Santa Barbara, California is home to 33 schools spanning elementary, middle, high, and alternative education, across several school districts including Santa Barbara Unified, Goleta Union Elementary, and Hope Elementary. The data reveals a wide range of academic performance, with some standout schools like Cold Spring Elementary and Montecito Union ranking among the top in the state, while others like La Cuesta Continuation High struggle with low proficiency and high dropout rates.

Key metrics show significant disparities across the schools. Graduation rates range from 34% at La Cuesta Continuation High to over 93% at San Marcos Senior High and Santa Barbara Senior High. Chronic absenteeism also varies widely, from 7.3% at Cold Spring Elementary to 94.3% at La Cuesta Continuation High. Test scores show a similar achievement gap, with proficiency in 11th grade English ranging from 9.09% at La Cuesta Continuation High to 90.91% at Trivium Charter School Voyage.

While the top-performing schools are primarily elementary institutions, the data also highlights the role of alternative and virtual schools like Trivium Charter School Voyage and Alta Vista Alternative High in serving students who may not thrive in a traditional setting. Overall, the Santa Barbara school system exhibits a wide range of academic outcomes, suggesting a need to further investigate the factors contributing to these disparities and ensure equitable access to quality education for all students.