Best Schools in Carpinteria, California
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Carpinteria?
Use this page to compare every school in Carpinteria by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Carpinteria Family
Elementary · Carpinteria Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Cate School
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carpinteria Middle
Middle · Carpinteria Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carpinteria for 2026 are Carpinteria Family (8.5/10), Cate School (8.2/10), and Carpinteria Middle (8.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
8
5 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$1,074,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
5 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$1,074,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +7.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Carpinteria schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Carpinteria
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carpinteria Family | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Cate School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Carpinteria Middle | 8.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Canalino Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Carpinteria Senior High | 7.0 / 10 |
| 6 | The Howard School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Aliso Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.3/10
- 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%
71% 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
#111 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
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 7.3 out of 10, schools in Carpinteria perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Carpinteria is Carpinteria Family with a composite score of 8.5/10, 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 | 56 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 483 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 316 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.6 | ||
| 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 | 6.1 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 402 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 609 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 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 | 8.2 | ||
| 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.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently 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 7.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Carpinteria, California?
The top-ranked school in Carpinteria on MySchoolScout is Carpinteria Family with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carpinteria, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carpinteria on MySchoolScout is Carpinteria Family with a composite score of 8.5/10.
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 8.1/10.
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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, 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.