Skip to main content

Very Good

#1447 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 15% in state

La Colina Junior High

Middle School · Santa Barbara Unified

4025 Foothill Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Enrollment

893

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

7.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Barbara

#15 of 29

public schools

California middle schools

#163 of 1,349

In district

#7 of 19

Santa Barbara Unified

Equity

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About La Colina Junior High

La Colina Junior High serves 893 students in grades 7-8 in Santa Barbara, California, earning strong recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking in the 93rd percentile statewide at #693 out of 9,566 California schools, the school demonstrates solid academic achievement across core subjects. The school's 44 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a student-teacher ratio of 20.3 to 1, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners.

Academically, La Colina shows particularly strong performance in English Language Arts, with 68% of students achieving proficient or above levels, while 56% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for high school success. Located at 4025 Foothill Road, La Colina serves families in an affluent Santa Barbara community where the median household income reaches $112,684 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding 93110 ZIP code area maintains a low poverty rate of 8.4% and features median home values of $953,600, reflecting the area's desirability. This regular public middle school operates within Santa Barbara's small city setting, offering students an educational experience in one of California's most scenic coastal communities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at La Colina Junior High is 20.3:1, 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 Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.1%
Math vs. State Avg+22.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.8 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,366

La Colina Junior High — Students at La Colina Junior High score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 58.3%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 67.6%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 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
64%
ELA
66%
2024
Math
56.4%
ELA
68.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.

How La Colina Junior High Compares

See how La Colina Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
85th percentile in CA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

4025 Foothill Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Colina Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Vieja Valley Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hope Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hollister Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Santa Barbara, see our Santa Barbara schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Bishop Garcia Diego High School Santa Barbara 0.3 mi
BISHOP GARCIA DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL Santa Barbara 0.3 mi 7.1
Hope Elementary Santa Barbara 0.4 mi 8.6
Monte Vista Elementary Santa Barbara 0.6 mi 8.4
Santa Barbara County Special Education Santa Barbara 0.8 mi 7.0
Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court Santa Barbara 0.8 mi 7.8
Santa Barbara County Community Santa Barbara 0.8 mi
Vieja Valley Elementary Santa Barbara 1.2 mi 9.0
Eureka School of Santa Barbara Santa Barbara 1.3 mi
PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Santa Barbara 1.4 mi 6.6
Laguna Blanca School Santa Barbara 1.8 mi
Trivium Charter School Voyage Lompoc 1.6 mi 7.6
Adams Elementary Santa Barbara 1.7 mi 7.4
LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL Santa Barbara 1.9 mi 5.9
Peabody Charter Santa Barbara 1.7 mi 8.2
San Marcos Senior High Santa Barbara 1.9 mi 4.8
La Cumbre Junior High Santa Barbara 2.4 mi 5.8
Santa Barbara Community Academy Santa Barbara 2.4 mi 5.9
El Camino Elementary Santa Barbara 2.4 mi 5.9
Hollister Elementary Santa Barbara 2.5 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93110 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,819

Median Home Value

$1,101,100

Median Rent

$2,358/mo

Population

16,385

College Educated

48.3%

Homeownership

59.8%

Avg Commute

15.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

46.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding La Colina Junior High has a median household income of $118,819. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,101,100, with a median rent of $2,358/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% 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
Bowditch Middle Foster City, CA 7.9
Burton Middle Porterville, CA 7.9
Dr. Manuel M. Lopez Academy of Arts & Sciences Oxnard, CA 7.9
Edward Harris Jr. Middle Elk Grove, CA 7.9
Horace Ensign Intermediate Costa Mesa, CA 7.9
Ladera Ranch Middle Ladera Ranch, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Colina Junior High

What grades does La Colina Junior High serve?

La Colina Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend La Colina Junior High?

La Colina Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 893 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Colina Junior High?

The student-teacher ratio at La Colina Junior High is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Colina Junior High rank in CA?

La Colina Junior High is ranked #1447 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is La Colina Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

La Colina Junior High 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 La Colina Junior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Colina Junior High has 58.3% math proficiency and 67.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is La Colina Junior High a charter school?

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

Is La Colina Junior High a Title I school?

No, La Colina Junior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Colina Junior High?

41.9% of students at La Colina 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
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
19 Somewhat 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
7th – 8th
Enrollment
893
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
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
#7 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.