Average
#6153 of 9,533 schools in CA
Alta Vista Alternative High
High School · Santa Barbara Unified
215 East Ortega St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Barbara
#26 of 29
public schools
California high schools
#1,314 of 1,892
In district
#15 of 19
Santa Barbara Unified
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Alta Vista Alternative High
Alta Vista Alternative High in Santa Barbara, California is a high school designed for students seeking an alternative educational experience. Serving grades nine through twelve, the school has an enrollment of 134 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers. Situated in a small city setting, Alta Vista offers personalized attention to help each student thrive.
While the academic performance is rated lower on MySchoolScout's scale at 4.3 out of 10 and ranked 6411th out of 9566 schools in California, it focuses on fostering a supportive environment for students who may need more flexible learning options. Students typically show proficiency rates of 44% in ELA/Reading and 25% in Math, indicating areas with room for growth but also highlighting the school’s commitment to individualized support. Alta Vista Alternative High is nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara, providing students with access to a vibrant community and educational resources.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 134 students, Alta Vista Alternative High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Alta Vista Alternative High — Students at Alta Vista Alternative High score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.
How Alta Vista Alternative High Compares
See how Alta Vista Alternative High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 25% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 33.33% (2024).
Location
215 East Ortega St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alta Vista Alternative High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ANACAPA SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is La Cuesta Continuation High (rated 6.4/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Santa Barbara Senior High (rated 4.1/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Santa Barbara, see our Santa Barbara schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| La Cuesta Continuation High Santa Barbara | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Alta Vista Santa Barbara | 0.0 mi | — |
| ANACAPA SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Peace in a Pod Elementary Santa Barbara | 0.1 mi | — |
| Fusion Academy Santa Barbara Santa Barbara | 0.3 mi | — |
| PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Santa Barbara Senior High Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Santa Barbara Junior High Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| ST THERESE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Santa Barbara | 0.8 mi | — |
| THE KNOX SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| McKinley Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| SANTA BARBARA MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Santa Barbara Middle School Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | — |
| Adelante Charter Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Franklin Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.1 mi | — |
| Roosevelt Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| THE RIVIERA RIDGE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| The Riviera Ridge School Santa Barbara | 1.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,868
Median Home Value
$1,122,200
Median Rent
$2,109/mo
Population
30,496
College Educated
41.1%
Homeownership
21.8%
Avg Commute
16.5 min
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
32.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Alta Vista Alternative High has a median household income of $79,868. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,122,200, with a median rent of $2,109/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Argus High (Continuation) Ceres, CA | 5.7 |
| Discovery High Sacramento, CA | 5.7 |
| Intellectual Virtues Academy Long Beach, CA | 5.7 |
| Ivy High (Continuation) Fallbrook, CA | 5.7 |
| Lemoore Online College Preparatory High Lemoore, CA | 5.7 |
| Montecito High (Continuation) Ramona, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alta Vista Alternative High
What grades does Alta Vista Alternative High serve?
Alta Vista Alternative High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Alta Vista Alternative High?
Alta Vista Alternative High has an enrollment of approximately 134 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alta Vista Alternative High?
The student-teacher ratio at Alta Vista Alternative High is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Alta Vista Alternative High rank in CA?
Alta Vista Alternative High is ranked #6153 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Alta Vista Alternative High's MySchoolScout rating?
Alta Vista Alternative High has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Alta Vista Alternative High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alta Vista Alternative High has 24.8% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Alta Vista Alternative High a charter school?
No, Alta Vista Alternative High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Alta Vista Alternative High a Title I school?
No, Alta Vista Alternative High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alta Vista Alternative High?
60.4% of students at Alta Vista Alternative High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,470/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Barbara). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 134
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.4%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 966-0883
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Barbara Unified- District Enrollment
- 12,491
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,094
- District Rank
- #15 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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.
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