5.8 avg / 10

Best Schools in Solvang, California

5 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 High

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 4

Private: 1

Districts: 3

Avg Rating: 5.8/10

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.8/10
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%

How Solvang compares

California rank

#412 of 596

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.5

below California avg (6.3)

Median household income

$130k

131% of California median

Schools in this city

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 5.8 out of 10, schools in Solvang show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Solvang is Ballard Elementary with a composite score of 6.3/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (5) Elementary (3) High (2)

Filter by Type: All Types (5) Public (4) Private (1)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (5) Academics (5) Growth (3) Diversity (3) Resources (3)

Filter by ZIP: 93463 (5)

Elementary Schools

3 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Ballard Elementary 107 students · Kindergarten–6th	107	Kindergarten–6th	6.3
2	Solvang Elementary 621 students · Kindergarten–8th	621	Kindergarten–8th	5.1
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	13	Kindergarten–Kindergarten	Not Rated

High Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Santa Ynez Valley Union High 850 students · 9th–12th	850	9th–12th	6.1
2	Refugio High 11 students · 9th–12th	11	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.

Quick Facts

State: California
Total Schools: 5
Elementary: 3
High: 2
Districts: 3
Avg Rating: 5.8/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Solvang schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Solvang 📊 Niche Solvang Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (3)

Ballard Elementary

1 school · 107 students

Santa Ynez Valley Union High

2 schools · 862 students

Solvang Elementary

1 school · 621 students

Nearby Cities

Santa Ynez (4 schools)

2 mi

Buellton (3 schools)

5 mi

Los Olivos (6 schools)

6 mi

Gaviota (1 school)

10 mi

Los Alamos (1 school)

Santa Maria (38 schools)

26 mi

Santa Barbara (52 schools)

26 mi

New Cuyama (1 school)

34 mi

Nipomo (5 schools)

36 mi

Guadalupe (2 schools)

36 mi

Arroyo Grande (3 schools)

41 mi

Grover Beach (1 school)

44 mi

Other Major Cities in California

Top metros statewide by school count.

Los Angeles 928 schools San Diego 412 schools San Jose 335 schools San Francisco 297 schools Sacramento 273 schools

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 methodology

Frequently 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 5.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

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 6.3/10.

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 6.3/10.

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 6.1/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.