Best Schools in Carpinteria, California
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $115,633
- Median home value
- $1,074,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 60%
57% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Carpinteria compares
California rank
#42 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$116k
116% of California median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Carpinteria, California
Carpinteria, California is home to 8 schools, including 5 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.5 out of 10, schools in Carpinteria perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Carpinteria is Canalino Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carpinteria is served by 1 school district: Carpinteria Unified. These districts collectively serve 1,920 students.
Carpinteria's community shows 46% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $115,633. The poverty rate in the area is 6.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 483 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 2 | 56 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 3 | 316 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | THE HOWARD SCHOOL
Private
94 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 402 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 609 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | CATE SCHOOL
Private
299 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Cate School
Private
306 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Carpinteria
Carpinteria, California · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$115,633
Median Home Value
$1,074,600
Median Rent
$2,331/mo
Population
16,348
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
60%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
6.0%
Community Profile
Carpinteria has a median household income of $115,633. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,074,600, with a median rent of $2,331/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 8
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 7.5/10
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Carpinteria, California
How many schools are in Carpinteria, California?
Carpinteria has 8 schools, including 5 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carpinteria, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carpinteria is 7.5 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Carpinteria, California?
The top-ranked school in Carpinteria on MySchoolScout is Canalino Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carpinteria, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carpinteria on MySchoolScout is Canalino Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Carpinteria, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Carpinteria on MySchoolScout is Carpinteria Middle with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best high school in Carpinteria, California?
The top-ranked high school in Carpinteria on MySchoolScout is Cate School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Carpinteria, California?
Carpinteria is served by 1 school district: Carpinteria Unified.
What is the education level in Carpinteria, California?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Carpinteria have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carpinteria, California?
The median household income in Carpinteria is approximately $115,633 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Carpinteria, California?
Yes, Carpinteria has 3 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Cate School with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carpinteria, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carpinteria is 13.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carpinteria, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
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- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.