Best Schools in Solvang, California
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 High
Choosing a school in Solvang?
Use this page to compare every school in Solvang 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.
Ballard Elementary
Elementary · Ballard Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Solvang Elementary
Elementary · Solvang Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Santa Ynez Valley Union High
High · Santa Ynez Valley Union High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Solvang for 2026 are Ballard Elementary (8.1/10), Solvang Elementary (8.1/10), and Santa Ynez Valley Union High (5.8/10), 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
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$1,044,100
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$1,044,100
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +3.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Solvang schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Solvang
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ballard Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Solvang Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Santa Ynez Valley Union High | 5.8 / 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
- $130,123
- Median home value
- $1,044,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 44%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Solvang compares
California rank
#106 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$130k
131% of California median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Solvang, California
Solvang, California is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, , and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Solvang 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 Solvang is Ballard Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Solvang is served by 3 school districts: Ballard Elementary, Santa Ynez Valley Union High, Solvang Elementary. These districts collectively serve 1,590 students.
Solvang's community shows 44% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $130,123. The poverty rate in the area is 7.5%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 107 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 621 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.1 | ||
| 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 | Acorn Village Forest School
Private
13 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | — | ||
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 850 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
| 2 | 11 students · 9th–12th | — |
Schools in Solvang
Solvang, California · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$130,123
Median Home Value
$1,044,100
Median Rent
$1,895/mo
Population
8,099
College Educated
44%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Community Profile
Solvang has a median household income of $130,123. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,044,100, with a median rent of $1,895/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 3
- High
- 2
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 Solvang, California
How many schools are in Solvang, California?
Solvang has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Solvang, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Solvang 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 Solvang, California?
The top-ranked school in Solvang on MySchoolScout is Ballard Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Solvang, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Solvang on MySchoolScout is Ballard Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in Solvang, California?
The top-ranked high school in Solvang on MySchoolScout is Santa Ynez Valley Union High with a composite score of 5.8/10.
How many school districts serve Solvang, California?
Solvang is served by 3 school districts: Ballard Elementary, Santa Ynez Valley Union High, Solvang Elementary.
What is the education level in Solvang, California?
According to Census data, 44% of adults in Solvang have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Solvang, California?
The median household income in Solvang is approximately $130,123 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Solvang, California?
Yes, Solvang has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Solvang, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Solvang is 13.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Solvang, 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.