Below Average
#8742 of 9,533 schools in CA
Santa Barbara Senior High
High School · Santa Barbara Unified
700 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Enrollment
2,046
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,046
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Barbara
#29 of 29
public schools
California high schools
#1,812 of 1,892
In district
#19 of 19
Santa Barbara Unified
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Santa Barbara Senior High
Santa Barbara Senior High serves 2,046 students in grades 9 through 12 in Santa Barbara, California. With 96 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.3:1. This regular public high school has room for academic growth, currently ranking in the 32nd percentile among California high schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10.
Academic performance shows 37% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while 20% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. The school serves students from a community where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $104,238. The surrounding 93103 zip code area has a population of 19,653 with a poverty rate of 10.5%.
Located at 700 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara Senior High sits in an affluent coastal community where median home values reach $1,332,400. The school operates within the scenic small city setting of Santa Barbara, known for its Mediterranean climate and proximity to both mountains and ocean.
What Parents Should Know
Santa Barbara Senior High is a large school with 2,046 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Barbara Senior High is 21.3:1, 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Santa Barbara Senior High — Students at Santa Barbara Senior High score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.6/10.
How Santa Barbara Senior High Compares
See how Santa Barbara Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 19.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 37.09% (2024).
Location
700 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Santa Barbara Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ANACAPA SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is La Cuesta Continuation High (rated 6.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Alta Vista Alternative High (rated 5.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Barbara, see our Santa Barbara schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Santa Barbara Junior High Santa Barbara | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| SANTA BARBARA MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Santa Barbara Middle School Santa Barbara | 0.5 mi | — |
| Peace in a Pod Elementary Santa Barbara | 0.5 mi | — |
| ANACAPA SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | — |
| Fusion Academy Santa Barbara Santa Barbara | 0.8 mi | — |
| THE KNOX SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| ST THERESE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Santa Barbara | 0.8 mi | — |
| Adelante Charter Santa Barbara | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.9 mi | — |
| Franklin Elementary Santa Barbara | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| THE RIVIERA RIDGE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| The Riviera Ridge School Santa Barbara | 1.2 mi | — |
| Cleveland Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.3 mi | 8.4 |
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 Senior 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 |
|---|---|
| Apple Valley High Apple Valley, CA | 4.1 |
| Coalinga High Coalinga, CA | 4.1 |
| Foothill High Bakersfield, CA | 4.0 |
| Oakdale High Oakdale, CA | 4.0 |
| Rubidoux High Jurupa Valley, CA | 4.0 |
| Twelve Bridges High Lincoln, CA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Barbara Senior High
What grades does Santa Barbara Senior High serve?
Santa Barbara Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Santa Barbara Senior High?
Santa Barbara Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 2,046 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Barbara Senior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Barbara Senior High is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Santa Barbara Senior High rank in CA?
Santa Barbara Senior High is ranked #8742 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Santa Barbara Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Barbara Senior High has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Senior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Barbara Senior High has 25.3% math proficiency and 45.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Santa Barbara Senior High a charter school?
No, Santa Barbara Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Santa Barbara Senior High a Title I school?
No, Santa Barbara Senior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Barbara Senior High?
60.4% of students at Santa Barbara Senior 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,046
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 96
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 966-9101
- 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
- #19 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.
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