Average
#6160 of 9,539 schools in CA
Santa Barbara Junior High
Middle School · Santa Barbara Unified
721 East Cota St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,160 of 9,539
In Santa Barbara
#26 of 29
public schools
In district
#17 of 19
Santa Barbara Unified
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Santa Barbara Junior High
Middle School in Santa Barbara · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Providence School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Santa Barbara Senior High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Santa Barbara Junior High
Santa Barbara Junior High is a public middle school in Santa Barbara, CA, part of Santa Barbara Unified. Santa Barbara Junior High serves approximately 502 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Santa Barbara Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #6,160 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Santa Barbara Junior High show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Santa Barbara Junior High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Santa Barbara Junior High — Students at Santa Barbara Junior High score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 28 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.1/10.
How Santa Barbara Junior High Compares
See how Santa Barbara Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
721 East Cota St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Santa Barbara Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Franklin Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Adelante Charter (rated 8.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE RIVIERA RIDGE SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Barbara, see our Santa Barbara schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Santa Barbara Senior High Santa Barbara | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| La Cuesta Continuation High Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Alta Vista Alternative High Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Alta Vista Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | — |
| Peace in a Pod Elementary Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | — |
| ANACAPA SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Adelante Charter Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Franklin Elementary Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 9.2 |
| SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | — |
| SANTA BARBARA MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Santa Barbara Middle School Santa Barbara | 0.8 mi | — |
| Fusion Academy Santa Barbara Santa Barbara | 0.7 mi | — |
| Cleveland Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| THE KNOX SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| ST THERESE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Santa Barbara | 1.1 mi | — |
| McKinley Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| THE RIVIERA RIDGE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$118,118
Median Home Value
$1,555,600
Median Rent
$2,407/mo
Population
19,803
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
46%
Avg Commute
17.2 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Median Age
39.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anderson Middle Anderson, CA | 5.6 |
| Mae Hensley Junior High Ceres, CA | 5.6 |
| Mann Middle San Diego, CA | 5.6 |
| Mesa View Middle Calimesa, CA | 5.6 |
| Orangeview Junior High Anaheim, CA | 5.6 |
| Pine Hollow Middle Concord, CA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Barbara Junior High
What grades does Santa Barbara Junior High serve?
Santa Barbara Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Santa Barbara Junior High?
Santa Barbara Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Barbara Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Barbara Junior High is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Santa Barbara Junior High rank in CA?
Santa Barbara Junior High ranks #6,160 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Santa Barbara Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Barbara Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Santa Barbara Junior High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Santa Barbara Junior High has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024).
Is Santa Barbara Junior High a charter school?
No, Santa Barbara Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Santa Barbara Junior High a Title I school?
No, Santa Barbara Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Barbara Junior High?
78.5% of students at Santa Barbara 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 502
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.1%
- Phone
- (805) 963-7751
Resources & Links
District
Santa Barbara Unified- District Enrollment
- 12,491
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,094
- District Rank
- #17 of 19
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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