Best Schools in Santa Ynez, California
4 schools · 4 Elementary
Choosing a school in Santa Ynez?
Use this page to compare every school in Santa Ynez 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.
Santa Ynez Elementary
Elementary · College Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Santa Ynez Valley Charter
Elementary · Santa Ynez Valley Charter District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Santa Ynez for 2026 are Santa Ynez Elementary (7.6/10), Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy (4.7/10), and Santa Ynez Valley Charter (4.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$1,187,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$1,187,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Santa Ynez
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Ynez Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy | 4.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Santa Ynez Valley Charter | 4.1 / 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $131,932
- Median home value
- $1,187,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Santa Ynez compares
California rank
#488 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$132k
132% of California median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Santa Ynez, California
Santa Ynez, California is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Santa Ynez show moderate performance 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 Santa Ynez is Santa Ynez Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Santa Ynez is served by 2 school districts: Santa Ynez Valley Charter District, College Elementary. These districts collectively serve 358 students.
Santa Ynez's community shows 38% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $131,932. The poverty rate in the area is 11.5%.
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 | 164 students · 1st–8th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 170 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.1 | ||
| 3 | 24 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | — | ||
| 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 | 144 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.7 | ||
Schools in Santa Ynez
Santa Ynez, California · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$131,932
Median Home Value
$1,187,700
Median Rent
$2,604/mo
Population
6,425
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Community Profile
Santa Ynez has a median household income of $131,932. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,187,700, with a median rent of $2,604/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
Resources
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 Santa Ynez, California
How many schools are in Santa Ynez, California?
Santa Ynez has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Santa Ynez, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Santa Ynez is 5.5 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 Santa Ynez, California?
The top-ranked school in Santa Ynez on MySchoolScout is Santa Ynez Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Santa Ynez, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Santa Ynez on MySchoolScout is Santa Ynez Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Santa Ynez, California?
Santa Ynez is served by 2 school districts: Santa Ynez Valley Charter District, College Elementary.
What is the education level in Santa Ynez, California?
According to Census data, 38% of adults in Santa Ynez have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Santa Ynez, California?
The median household income in Santa Ynez is approximately $131,932 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Santa Ynez, California?
Yes, Santa Ynez has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy with a score of 4.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Santa Ynez, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Santa Ynez is 14.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Santa Ynez, 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.