Average
#4809 of 9,539 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
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#4,809 of 9,539
In Santa Barbara
#21 of 29
public schools
In district
#13 of 19
Santa Barbara Unified
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Alta Vista Alternative High
High School in Santa Barbara · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
La Cuesta Continuation High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Alta Vista
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Alta Vista Alternative High
Alta Vista Alternative High is a public high school in Santa Barbara, CA, part of Santa Barbara Unified. Alta Vista Alternative High serves approximately 134 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Alta Vista Alternative High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,809 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Alta Vista Alternative High show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- District avg 6.3
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 134 students, Alta Vista Alternative High is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
88% of students at Alta Vista Alternative High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View 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: 40%).
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 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How Alta Vista Alternative High Compares
See how Alta Vista Alternative High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 slightly higher. Another option is La Cuesta Continuation High (rated 5.8/10), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Santa Barbara Senior High (rated 5.1/10, 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 | 5.8 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Santa Barbara Junior High Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| 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 | 4.8 |
| 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 | 8.8 |
| Franklin Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 9.2 |
| SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.1 mi | — |
| Roosevelt Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alliance Tennenbaum Family Technology High Los Angeles, CA | 6.3 |
| Capistrano Union High San Juan Capistrano, CA | 6.3 |
| Ferndale High Ferndale, CA | 6.3 |
| GRAUER SCHOOL THE Encinitas, CA | 6.3 |
| Marin Oaks High Novato, CA | 6.3 |
| Salisbury High (Continuation) Red Bluff, CA | 6.3 |
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 ranks #4,809 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Alta Vista Alternative High's MySchoolScout rating?
Alta Vista Alternative High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Alta Vista Alternative High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Alta Vista Alternative High has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 88.1%
- Phone
- (805) 966-0883
- 4-Year Graduation
- 67.0%
Resources & Links
District
Santa Barbara Unified- District Enrollment
- 12,491
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,094
- District Rank
- #13 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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