Average
#6948 of 9,533 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
5.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Barbara
#27 of 29
public schools
California middle schools
#1,044 of 1,349
In district
#16 of 19
Santa Barbara Unified
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Santa Barbara Junior High
Santa Barbara Junior High is a regular public middle school located in the heart of Santa Barbara, California. Situated at 721 East Cota St., this small city setting offers a charming and vibrant environment for students to learn and grow. The school serves grades seven through eight with an enrollment of 502 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention.
Santa Barbara Junior High has 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the academic and social development of their students. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school currently stands at a 4.2 out of 10, ranking it #6591 among 9566 schools in California, placing it around the 31st percentile. In terms of subject proficiency, 44% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 27% are proficient or above in Math.
While there is room for academic growth, Santa Barbara Junior High focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages each student to reach their full potential. The school's setting within the small city of Santa Barbara provides a unique blend of community resources and cultural opportunities that enrich the educational experience beyond the classroom walls.
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 10 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: 2.6/10.
How Santa Barbara Junior High Compares
See how Santa Barbara Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 23.58% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 33.12% (2024).
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. Adelante Charter (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cleveland Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.6 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 | 4.1 |
| La Cuesta Continuation High Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Alta Vista Alternative High Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| 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 | 8.7 |
| Franklin Elementary Santa Barbara | 0.6 mi | 8.3 |
| 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 | 8.4 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Santa Barbara Junior High has a median household income of $118,118. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,555,600, with a median rent of $2,407/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Animo Mae Jemison Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA | 5.3 |
| Fedde (Pharis F.) Middle Hawaiian Gardens, CA | 5.3 |
| Frick United Academy of Language Middle Oakland, CA | 5.3 |
| Joan MacQueen Middle Alpine, CA | 5.3 |
| Mesa View Middle Calimesa, CA | 5.3 |
| Muwekma Ohlone Middle San Jose, CA | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #6948 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Santa Barbara Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Barbara Junior High has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Santa Barbara Junior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Barbara Junior High has 26.9% math proficiency and 43.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 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
- Phone
- (805) 963-7751
- 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
- #16 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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