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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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.1%
Math vs. State Avg-8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness3.5Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,366

Santa Barbara Senior High — Students at Santa Barbara Senior High score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 45.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
61%
2024
Math
19.5%
ELA
37.1%

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.

Overall Score
4.1/10
8th percentile in CA
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
96 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
87 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,470/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Barbara Unified
District Enrollment
12,491
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,094
District Rank
#19 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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