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6.7 avg / 10

Santa Barbara Unified School District

School District · Santa Barbara, California

Students: 12,491
Teachers (FTE): 646

Avg Rating

6.7

out of 10

Schools

20

10 elem, 5 mid, 5 high

Per-Pupil Spending

$18,094

Student-Teacher Ratio

19.3:1

How this district compares

California rank

#210 of 713

districts by avg. composite

Vs. state average

+0.4

above California avg

Per-pupil spending

$18,094

+$447 vs California median

District size

12,491 students

Much larger than California median

About Santa Barbara Unified

Santa Barbara Unified is a Santa Barbara, California school district serving 20 schools. The district educates 12,491 students with a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1. The district invests $18,094 per student annually.

With an average rating of 6.7/10, Santa Barbara Unified demonstrates solid academic performance.

The highest-rated school in the district is Monroe Elementary, which has a composite score of 8.9/10.

In standardized testing, Santa Barbara Unified students show an average math proficiency of 36.2% and ELA proficiency of 44.0%.

The district includes 10 elementary schools , 5 middle schools , and 5 high schools.

District Map

Schools in Santa Barbara Unified, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.

District Average Test Scores

Math Proficiency 36.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.0%
School
State
N/A

Average proficiency across all schools in Santa Barbara Unified with test data.

District Details

State
California
City
Santa Barbara
Total Enrollment
12,491
Teachers (FTE)
646
Child Poverty Rate
0.1%
Data Year
2023

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Santa Barbara Unified?

Santa Barbara Unified has 20 schools in total — 10 elementary, 5 middle, and 5 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.

What is the average rating for Santa Barbara Unified?

The average composite rating for Santa Barbara Unified is 6.7/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.

What is the per-pupil spending in Santa Barbara Unified?

Santa Barbara Unified spends $18,094 per student per year.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Santa Barbara Unified?

The average student-teacher ratio in Santa Barbara Unified is 19.3:1.

What is the top-rated school in Santa Barbara Unified?

Monroe Elementary is the highest-rated school in Santa Barbara Unified with a composite score of 8.9/10.

What are the test scores in Santa Barbara Unified?

Across schools in Santa Barbara Unified with test data, the average math proficiency is 36.2% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 44.0%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.

How does Santa Barbara Unified compare to other districts in California?

Santa Barbara Unified has an average school rating of 6.7/10 across 20 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in California by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools?

MySchoolScout ratings are based on a comprehensive methodology that weighs Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.

District Averages

Overall Rating
6.7/10
Math Proficiency
36.2%
ELA Proficiency
44.0%

Resources

🔍 Search for District Website 📄 Official NCES Data 🏫 GreatSchools Profile 📍 View on Google Maps

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

Other School Districts in CA

Compare Santa Barbara Unified with neighboring districts in the state.

See all districts in CA →

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.

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