Average
#4826 of 9,533 schools in CA
Santa Ynez Elementary
Elementary School · College Elementary
3525 Pine St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
1st – 8th
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
1st – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Ynez
#1 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,956 of 5,817
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Santa Ynez Elementary
Santa Ynez Elementary serves 164 students in grades 1 through 8 in the charming town of Santa Ynez, California. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in this close-knit learning environment. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #1896 out of 9566 California schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 54% achieving proficiency or above, while mathematics performance reaches 45% proficiency across all grade levels, indicating opportunities for continued growth in this subject area. Santa Ynez Elementary sits within an affluent community where the median household income reaches $144,196 and median home values are $1,141,500. The surrounding ZIP code of 93460 is home to 6,280 residents, with 36% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.4%.
This relatively small elementary school serves families in the scenic Santa Barbara County town of Santa Ynez, known for its rural character and wine country atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 164 students, Santa Ynez Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Santa Ynez Elementary — Students at Santa Ynez Elementary score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 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: 4.4/10.
How Santa Ynez Elementary Compares
See how Santa Ynez Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 43.59% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 52.99% (2024).
Location
3525 Pine St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Santa Ynez Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Vista de Las Cruces (rated 8.8/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Gaviota), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ballard Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Solvang), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Olga L. Reed Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Los Alamos), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Ynez, see our Santa Ynez schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| College Elementary Santa Ynez | 0.3 mi | — |
| Santa Ynez Valley Charter Santa Ynez | 0.3 mi | 4.1 |
| SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Ynez | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Santa Ynez Valley Union High Solvang | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Refugio High Solvang | 0.9 mi | — |
| Ballard Elementary Solvang | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Dunn School Los Olivos | 2.9 mi | — |
| DUNN SCHOOL Los Olivos | 2.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Acorn Village Forest School Solvang | 2.6 mi | — |
| Los Olivos Elementary Los Olivos | 3.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Solvang Elementary Solvang | 3.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Olive Grove Charter - Buellton Santa Maria | 5.6 mi | — |
| Jonata Middle Buellton | 6.3 mi | 5.8 |
| MIDLAND SCHOOL CORPORATION Los Olivos | 8.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Hundred Hills Buellton | 6.7 mi | — |
| Santa Ynez Valley Family School Los Olivos | 8.2 mi | — |
| THE FAMILY SCHOOL Los Olivos | 8.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Oak Valley Elementary Buellton | 6.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Vista de Las Cruces Gaviota | 11.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Olga L. Reed Elementary Los Alamos | 13.8 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93460 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$131,932
Median Home Value
$1,187,700
Median Rent
$2,604/mo
Population
6,425
College Educated
37.5%
Homeownership
68.8%
Avg Commute
25.8 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding Santa Ynez Elementary has a median household income of $131,932. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,187,700, with a median rent of $2,604/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY OF STOCKTON Stockton, CA | 6.3 |
| ANTHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salinas, CA | 6.3 |
| BRAWERMAN ELEMENTARY EAST OF WILSHIRE BLVD TEMPLE Los Angeles, CA | 6.3 |
| Ballard Elementary Solvang, CA | 6.3 |
| CHICO OAKS ADVENTIST SCHOOL Chico, CA | 6.3 |
| COASTLINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goleta, CA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Ynez Elementary
What grades does Santa Ynez Elementary serve?
Santa Ynez Elementary serves students in grades 1st through 8th.
How many students attend Santa Ynez Elementary?
Santa Ynez Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 164 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Ynez Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Ynez Elementary is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Santa Ynez Elementary rank in CA?
Santa Ynez Elementary is ranked #4826 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Santa Ynez Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Ynez Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Ynez Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Ynez Elementary has 43.5% math proficiency and 54.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Santa Ynez Elementary a charter school?
No, Santa Ynez Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Santa Ynez Elementary a Title I school?
No, Santa Ynez Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Ynez Elementary?
42.1% of students at Santa Ynez 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
- County Safety
- Average (281/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 8th
- Enrollment
- 164
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 686-7310
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
College Elementary- District Enrollment
- 188
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $37,946
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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