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Very Good

#1502 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 16% in state

Foothill Elementary

Elementary School · Goleta Union Elementary

711 Ribera Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93111

Enrollment

397

Student-Teacher

23.4:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Barbara

#16 of 29

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,060 of 5,817

In district

#5 of 9

Goleta Union Elementary

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Foothill Elementary

Foothill Elementary serves 397 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Santa Barbara, California, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranking in the 93rd percentile statewide at #629 out of 9,566 California schools, Foothill demonstrates strong academic achievement across its grade levels. The school's 17 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a student-teacher ratio of 23.4 to 1, supporting students who consistently perform well on standardized assessments.

Eighty percent of students achieve proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 68 percent reach proficiency in mathematics, reflecting the school's commitment to academic excellence. Foothill Elementary draws families from an affluent neighborhood where the median household income reaches $134,897 and 56 percent of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding community's low poverty rate of 7.5 percent and median home values of over $1 million indicate a well-resourced area that values education.

Located on Ribera Drive in Santa Barbara County, Foothill Elementary sits in a mid-size suburban setting that combines the benefits of small-town community feel with access to the cultural and educational opportunities that the greater Santa Barbara area provides.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Foothill Elementary is 23.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80.1%
Math vs. State Avg+22.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+37.3 pts
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,500

Foothill Elementary — Students at Foothill Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 68.9%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 79.8%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
74%
ELA
78%
2024
Math
67.9%
ELA
80.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.

How Foothill Elementary Compares

See how Foothill Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in CA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

711 Ribera Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93111

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Foothill Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mountain View Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vieja Valley Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, La Patera Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Goleta), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Santa Barbara, see our Santa Barbara schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
El Camino Elementary Santa Barbara 0.7 mi 5.9
Mountain View Elementary Santa Barbara 0.9 mi 9.4
Saint Therese Classical Academy Santa Barbara 1.1 mi
Hollister Elementary Santa Barbara 1.3 mi 8.6
San Marcos Senior High Santa Barbara 1.2 mi 4.8
Kellogg Elementary Goleta 1.2 mi 6.6
Trivium Charter School Voyage Lompoc 1.4 mi 7.6
COASTLINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goleta 1.6 mi 6.3
Santa Barbara County Special Education Santa Barbara 1.8 mi 7.0
Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court Santa Barbara 1.8 mi 7.8
Santa Barbara County Community Santa Barbara 1.8 mi
MONTESSORI CENTER SCHOOL Goleta 1.8 mi 7.2
Goleta Valley Junior High Goleta 1.9 mi 7.5
Santa Barbara Charter Goleta 1.9 mi 4.4
Vieja Valley Elementary Santa Barbara 2.1 mi 9.0
BISHOP GARCIA DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL Santa Barbara 2.5 mi 7.1
Bishop Garcia Diego High School Santa Barbara 2.5 mi
La Colina Junior High Santa Barbara 2.6 mi 7.9
La Patera Elementary Goleta 2.6 mi 8.7
Laguna Blanca School Santa Barbara 2.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93111 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$139,876

Median Home Value

$1,171,400

Median Rent

$2,838/mo

Population

18,234

College Educated

55.9%

Homeownership

67.4%

Avg Commute

14.6 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

44.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Foothill Elementary has a median household income of $139,876. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,171,400, with a median rent of $2,838/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
Aspen Meadow Public Fresno, CA 7.9
Ayer Elementary Fresno, CA 7.9
Birney Elementary Redondo Beach, CA 7.9
Cabrillo Avenue Elementary San Pedro, CA 7.9
Captain Leland Norton Elementary San Bernardino, CA 7.9
Carver (Charles J.) Elementary Cerritos, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Foothill Elementary

What grades does Foothill Elementary serve?

Foothill Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Foothill Elementary?

Foothill Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Foothill Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Foothill Elementary is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Foothill Elementary rank in CA?

Foothill Elementary is ranked #1502 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Foothill Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Foothill Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Foothill Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foothill Elementary has 68.9% math proficiency and 79.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Foothill Elementary a charter school?

No, Foothill Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Foothill Elementary a Title I school?

No, Foothill Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foothill Elementary?

19.6% of students at Foothill Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,470/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Barbara). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Goleta Union Elementary
District Enrollment
3,408
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,980
District Rank
#5 of 9

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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