Very Good
#3227 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 34% in state
Mckinley Elementary
Elementary School · Santa Barbara Unified
350 Loma Alta Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Enrollment
264
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
264
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Barbara
#19 of 29
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,134 of 5,817
In district
#10 of 19
Santa Barbara Unified
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Mckinley Elementary
McKinley Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Santa Barbara, California. With an enrollment of 264 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. McKinley Elementary covers kindergarten through sixth grade, providing a solid foundation for young learners.
The academic performance at McKinley Elementary shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and state ranking of #6771 out of 9566 schools in California (29th percentile). In terms of proficiency rates, only 22% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while just 15% meet the standard in math. The school is focused on supporting student development and growth in these areas.
Located in a small city setting, McKinley Elementary benefits from being part of the Santa Barbara community, offering students access to local resources and cultural experiences.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Mckinley Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Mckinley Elementary — Students at Mckinley Elementary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
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: 8.2/10.
How Mckinley Elementary Compares
See how Mckinley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 9% (2019) to 16.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 20.8% (2024).
Location
350 Loma Alta Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mckinley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Monroe Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Adelante Charter (rated 8.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harding University Partnership (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Barbara, see our Santa Barbara schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fusion Academy Santa Barbara Santa Barbara | 0.8 mi | — |
| La Cuesta Continuation High Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Alta Vista Alternative High Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Alta Vista Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | — |
| ANACAPA SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Peace in a Pod Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | — |
| NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| ST THERESE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Santa Barbara | 1.4 mi | — |
| Harding University Partnership Santa Barbara | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Washington Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| THE KNOX SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Olive Grove Charter - Santa Barbara Santa Maria | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Santa Barbara Junior High Santa Barbara | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Santa Barbara Senior High Santa Barbara | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Monroe Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Adelante Charter Santa Barbara | 1.8 mi | 8.7 |
| SANTA BARBARA MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Santa Barbara Middle School Santa Barbara | 2.0 mi | — |
| Roosevelt Elementary Santa Barbara | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93109 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$126,875
Median Home Value
$1,836,300
Median Rent
$2,870/mo
Population
11,069
College Educated
58.4%
Homeownership
54.7%
Avg Commute
16.8 min
Poverty Rate
15.3%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mckinley Elementary has a median household income of $126,875. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,836,300, with a median rent of $2,870/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Aeolian Elementary Whittier, CA | 7.0 |
| Arete Charter Academy Grass Valley, CA | 7.0 |
| Belle Air Elementary San Bruno, CA | 7.0 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange, CA | 7.0 |
| Cambridge Heights Elementary Citrus Heights, CA | 7.0 |
| Enadia Way Technology Charter West Hills, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mckinley Elementary
What grades does Mckinley Elementary serve?
Mckinley Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Mckinley Elementary?
Mckinley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 264 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mckinley Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mckinley Elementary is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mckinley Elementary rank in CA?
Mckinley Elementary is ranked #3227 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Mckinley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mckinley Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Mckinley Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mckinley Elementary has 14.8% math proficiency and 21.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mckinley Elementary a charter school?
No, Mckinley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mckinley Elementary a Title I school?
No, Mckinley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mckinley Elementary?
84.5% of students at Mckinley 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
- 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
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 264
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 966-9926
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Barbara Unified- District Enrollment
- 12,491
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,094
- District Rank
- #10 of 19
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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