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Very Good

#2177 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 23% in state

Goleta Valley Junior High

Middle School · Santa Barbara Unified

6100 Stow Canyon Rd., Goleta, CA 93117

Enrollment

736

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

7.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Goleta

#4 of 8

public schools

California middle schools

#261 of 1,349

In district

#8 of 19

Santa Barbara Unified

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Goleta Valley Junior High

Goleta Valley Junior High serves 736 students in grades 7 and 8 in the mid-size suburb of Goleta, California. With 37 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #1862 out of 9566 California schools.

Students show steady achievement with 53% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 49% meeting standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to supporting students through the critical middle school years. Located at 6100 Stow Canyon Road, Goleta Valley Junior High sits within ZIP code 93117, a diverse community where the median household income is $79,553 and 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area shows economic diversity, with home values averaging $932,400 alongside a 28.1% poverty rate, creating a community that brings together families from various socioeconomic backgrounds. The school serves as an important bridge between elementary and high school for students in this coastal Santa Barbara County community, where suburban living meets the educational opportunities of the greater Goleta area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.5%
Math vs. State Avg+15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.2 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,366

Goleta Valley Junior High — Students at Goleta Valley Junior High score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.9%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 49.3%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
53%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
48.9%
ELA
53.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.

How Goleta Valley Junior High Compares

See how Goleta Valley Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
77th percentile in CA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

6100 Stow Canyon Rd., Goleta, CA 93117

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Goleta Valley Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mountain View Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Barbara), which scores notably higher. Another option is Isla Vista Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, La Patera Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Goleta, see our Goleta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Santa Barbara Charter Goleta 0.0 mi 4.4
MONTESSORI CENTER SCHOOL Goleta 0.3 mi 7.2
COASTLINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goleta 0.4 mi 6.3
La Patera Elementary Goleta 0.7 mi 8.7
Kellogg Elementary Goleta 0.8 mi 6.6
Mountain View Elementary Santa Barbara 1.1 mi 9.4
Foothill Elementary Santa Barbara 1.9 mi 7.9
Saint Therese Classical Academy Santa Barbara 2.3 mi
El Camino Elementary Santa Barbara 2.3 mi 5.9
Hollister Elementary Santa Barbara 2.6 mi 8.6
Dos Pueblos Senior High Goleta 2.6 mi 8.5
Isla Vista Elementary Goleta 3.0 mi 9.1
San Marcos Senior High Santa Barbara 2.9 mi 4.8
SOUTH COAST MONTESSORI Goleta 3.0 mi
South Coast Montessori Goleta 3.0 mi
Waldorf School of Santa Barbara, The Goleta 3.0 mi
Trivium Charter School Voyage Lompoc 3.2 mi 7.6
Brandon Elementary Goleta 3.4 mi 5.0
Ellwood Elementary Goleta 3.7 mi 7.5
Santa Barbara County Special Education Santa Barbara 3.7 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93117 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,711

Median Home Value

$1,021,700

Median Rent

$1,980/mo

Population

52,225

College Educated

49.2%

Homeownership

38.3%

Avg Commute

18 min

Poverty Rate

25.9%

Median Age

23.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Goleta Valley Junior High has a median household income of $85,711. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,021,700, with a median rent of $1,980/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Ahwahnee Middle Fresno, CA 7.5
Blaker-Kinser Junior High Ceres, CA 7.5
Bobby Duke Middle Coachella, CA 7.5
Calle Mayor Middle Torrance, CA 7.5
Canyon Hills Junior High Chino Hills, CA 7.5
Cecil Avenue Math and Science Academy Delano, CA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Goleta Valley Junior High

What grades does Goleta Valley Junior High serve?

Goleta Valley Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Goleta Valley Junior High?

Goleta Valley Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 736 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Goleta Valley Junior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Goleta Valley Junior High is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Goleta Valley Junior High rank in CA?

Goleta Valley Junior High is ranked #2177 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Goleta Valley Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Goleta Valley Junior High has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Goleta Valley Junior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Goleta Valley Junior High has 44.9% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Goleta Valley Junior High a charter school?

No, Goleta Valley Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Goleta Valley Junior High a Title I school?

No, Goleta Valley Junior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Goleta Valley Junior High?

48.5% of students at Goleta Valley Junior 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,823/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
736
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Barbara Unified
District Enrollment
12,491
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,094
District Rank
#8 of 19

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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