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Very Good

#131 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 7% of private schools

Dunn School

High School

2555 W HWY 154, Los Olivos, CA 93441

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

249

Student-Teacher

5.8:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Los Olivos

#1 of 3

public schools

California high schools

#27 of 277

About Dunn School

Dunn School serves 249 students in grades 6-12 in the scenic town of Los Olivos, California. This regular public school stands out with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 5.8:1, supported by 43 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students receive highly personalized attention. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #303 out of 1,790 California schools and placing in the 83rd percentile statewide.

This outstanding performance has contributed to MySchoolScout's 9.0 out of 10 rating, reflecting the school's commitment to educational excellence. Dunn School operates within the affluent Los Olivos community, where families demonstrate a strong commitment to education. The surrounding neighborhood boasts a median household income of $135,625 and a highly educated population, with 60% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 9.4%, creating a stable environment for learning. The small class sizes and dedicated teaching staff allow for individualized instruction and meaningful student-teacher relationships that can significantly impact academic and personal growth. Located along Highway 154, Dunn School sits in the heart of Santa Barbara County's wine country, offering students a unique small-town educational experience in one of California's most picturesque regions.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.8:1, Dunn School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Dunn School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$67,991
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$62,996
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.93x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
73%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$24.0M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 249 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Dunn School compares to the 1 public school in Los Olivos, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.8:1
This School
vs
16.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
249
This School
vs
151
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.8
This School
vs
5.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 63.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 15.3% vs 0%
Asian 11.2% vs 0%
Black 2.8% vs 0%
Dunn School Los Olivos Public Avg

All Schools in Los Olivos

School Rating
Dunn School (this school) 7.8
Los Olivos Elementary 5.0

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 55%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 249
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 63.9%
Hispanic 15.3%
Asian 11.2%
Two or More 5.2%
Black 2.8%
Native American 0.8%
Pacific Islander 0.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2555 W HWY 154, Los Olivos, CA 93441

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dunn School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MIDLAND SCHOOL CORPORATION (rated 7.1/10, 5.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Santa Ynez Valley Union High (rated 6.1/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Solvang), a more accessible option. For more schools in Los Olivos, see our Los Olivos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Dunn School Los Olivos 0.0 mi
Los Olivos Elementary Los Olivos 0.7 mi 5.0
Ballard Elementary Solvang 1.4 mi 6.3
Santa Ynez Elementary Santa Ynez 2.9 mi 6.3
Santa Ynez Valley Charter Santa Ynez 3.0 mi 4.1
College Elementary Santa Ynez 3.0 mi
Santa Ynez Valley Union High Solvang 3.4 mi 6.1
Refugio High Solvang 3.4 mi
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Ynez 3.6 mi 4.7
Acorn Village Forest School Solvang 4.2 mi
Solvang Elementary Solvang 4.7 mi 5.1
MIDLAND SCHOOL CORPORATION Los Olivos 5.2 mi 7.1
Santa Ynez Valley Family School Los Olivos 5.4 mi
THE FAMILY SCHOOL Los Olivos 5.5 mi 5.7
Olive Grove Charter - Buellton Santa Maria 5.8 mi
Jonata Middle Buellton 6.1 mi 5.8
Oak Valley Elementary Buellton 6.4 mi 4.8
Hundred Hills Buellton 6.5 mi
Olga L. Reed Elementary Los Alamos 11.5 mi 6.1
Vista de Las Cruces Gaviota 12.6 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93441 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$140,685

Median Home Value

$1,343,800

Population

990

College Educated

57.1%

Homeownership

85.9%

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

55.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dunn School has a median household income of $140,685. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,343,800. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Independence High San Francisco, CA 7.8
Shasta Charter Academy Redding, CA 7.8
KIPP Navigate College Prep San Jose, CA 7.7
Lemoore Middle College High Lemoore, CA 7.7
Middle College High San Bernardino, CA 7.7
Mount Shasta High Mount Shasta, CA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dunn School

What grades does Dunn School serve?

Dunn School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Dunn School?

Dunn School has an enrollment of approximately 249 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dunn School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dunn School is 5.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Dunn School rank in CA?

Dunn School is ranked #131 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Dunn School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dunn School has a composite rating of 7.8 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.

Is Dunn School a private school?

Yes, Dunn School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Dunn School a religious school?

No, Dunn School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
249
Gender Split
56% M / 44% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.2 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Distant Town
County
SANTA BARBARA
Data Year
2022–2023

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

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