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Average

#4528 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 48% in state

La Cuesta Continuation High

High School · Santa Barbara Unified

710 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Enrollment

103

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Barbara

#21 of 29

public schools

California high schools

#923 of 1,892

In district

#11 of 19

Santa Barbara Unified

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About La Cuesta Continuation High

La Cuesta Continuation High is an alternative high school located in the heart of Santa Barbara, California. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, La Cuesta offers a unique educational environment with a current enrollment of 103 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, ensuring individualized attention for each student. The school has eight full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students succeed.

Academically, La Cuesta Continuation High ranks in the 21st percentile among California schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.2 out of 10. Test scores reveal that only 8% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while just 2% are proficient or above in Math. These statistics highlight areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.

La Cuesta Continuation High is situated in a small city setting, providing a supportive community atmosphere for its diverse student body. The school’s location offers easy access to local resources and support networks that help students thrive both academically and personally.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 103 students, La Cuesta Continuation High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at La Cuesta Continuation High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency9.1%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-46.8 pts
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-21.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,366

La Cuesta Continuation High — Students at La Cuesta Continuation High score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 1.7%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 7.7%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 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
5%
ELA
5%
2024
ELA
9.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.

How La Cuesta Continuation High Compares

See how La Cuesta Continuation High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
53th percentile in CA
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

710 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Cuesta Continuation High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ANACAPA SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Alta Vista Alternative High (rated 5.7/10), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Santa Barbara Senior High (rated 4.1/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Santa Barbara, see our Santa Barbara schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Alta Vista Alternative High Santa Barbara 0.0 mi 5.7
Alta Vista Santa Barbara 0.0 mi
ANACAPA SCHOOL Santa Barbara 0.1 mi 7.0
Peace in a Pod Elementary Santa Barbara 0.1 mi
Fusion Academy Santa Barbara Santa Barbara 0.3 mi
PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Santa Barbara 0.4 mi 6.8
Santa Barbara Senior High Santa Barbara 0.6 mi 4.1
Santa Barbara Junior High Santa Barbara 0.6 mi 5.3
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Santa Barbara 0.8 mi 4.6
ST THERESE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Santa Barbara 0.8 mi
THE KNOX SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara 0.8 mi 6.6
McKinley Elementary Santa Barbara 1.0 mi 7.0
SANTA BARBARA MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Barbara 1.0 mi 7.1
Santa Barbara Middle School Santa Barbara 1.0 mi
Adelante Charter Santa Barbara 1.0 mi 8.7
Franklin Elementary Santa Barbara 1.0 mi 8.3
SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Barbara 1.1 mi
Roosevelt Elementary Santa Barbara 1.3 mi 8.0
THE RIVIERA RIDGE SCHOOL Santa Barbara 1.6 mi 7.5
The Riviera Ridge School Santa Barbara 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,868

Median Home Value

$1,122,200

Median Rent

$2,109/mo

Population

30,496

College Educated

41.1%

Homeownership

21.8%

Avg Commute

16.5 min

Poverty Rate

17.1%

Median Age

32.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding La Cuesta Continuation High has a median household income of $79,868. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,122,200, with a median rent of $2,109/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
AeroSTEM Academy Yuba City, CA 6.4
East Hills Academy Chula Vista, CA 6.4
East Stanislaus High Oakdale, CA 6.4
FUSION ACADEMY - PALO ALTO Palo Alto, CA 6.4
Green Valley High Yucaipa, CA 6.4
Liberty High Lodi, CA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Cuesta Continuation High

What grades does La Cuesta Continuation High serve?

La Cuesta Continuation High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend La Cuesta Continuation High?

La Cuesta Continuation High has an enrollment of approximately 103 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Cuesta Continuation High?

The student-teacher ratio at La Cuesta Continuation High is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Cuesta Continuation High rank in CA?

La Cuesta Continuation High is ranked #4528 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is La Cuesta Continuation High's MySchoolScout rating?

La Cuesta Continuation High has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Cuesta Continuation High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Cuesta Continuation High has 1.7% math proficiency and 7.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is La Cuesta Continuation High a charter school?

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

Is La Cuesta Continuation High a Title I school?

No, La Cuesta Continuation High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Cuesta Continuation High?

86.4% of students at La Cuesta Continuation 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

City Safety
High (2,470/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.4%
Type
alternative
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
#11 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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