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
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Foothill Elementary — Students at Foothill Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 7.4/10.
How Foothill Elementary Compares
See how Foothill Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 68.25% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 78% (2019) to 80.09% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (805) 681-1268
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Goleta Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 3,408
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,980
- District Rank
- #5 of 9
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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