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Below Average

#8756 of 9,533 schools in CA

Santa Ynez Valley Charter

Elementary School · Santa Ynez Valley Charter District

1224 Tyndall St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460

Charter

Enrollment

170

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Ynez

#2 of 2

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,228 of 5,817

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Santa Ynez Valley Charter

Santa Ynez Valley Charter is a charming charter school nestled in the heart of Santa Ynez, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade students, this elementary-level public school offers a personalized learning environment with an enrollment of 170 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.5:1. The school's dedicated team of eleven full-time equivalent teachers helps create a supportive academic atmosphere.

While the MySchoolScout rating for Santa Ynez Valley Charter is 4.5 out of 10, placing it in the 36th percentile among California schools, the school remains focused on providing quality education and student development. On state assessments, 54% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 28% achieve proficiency or above in Math—areas with room for growth but demonstrating a commitment to academic improvement. Santa Ynez Valley Charter is situated in the serene town of Santa Ynez, where it contributes positively to the community.

Whether you're looking for a nurturing educational environment or simply want your child to experience small-town charm, this school offers a warm and inviting setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 170 students, Santa Ynez Valley Charter 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.

Santa Ynez Valley Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.2%
Math vs. State Avg-22.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected-27.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1

Santa Ynez Valley Charter — Students at Santa Ynez Valley Charter score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.7%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 54.2%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 14 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
52%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
24%
ELA
48.1%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Santa Ynez Valley Charter Compares

See how Santa Ynez Valley Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
8th percentile in CA
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

1224 Tyndall St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Ynez Valley Charter may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Vista de Las Cruces (rated 8.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Gaviota), which scores notably higher. Another option is Santa Ynez Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ballard Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Solvang), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Ynez, see our Santa Ynez schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
College Elementary Santa Ynez 0.0 mi
Santa Ynez Elementary Santa Ynez 0.3 mi 6.3
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Ynez 1.2 mi 4.7
Santa Ynez Valley Union High Solvang 1.2 mi 6.1
Refugio High Solvang 1.2 mi
Ballard Elementary Solvang 2.4 mi 6.3
Dunn School Los Olivos 3.0 mi
DUNN SCHOOL Los Olivos 3.0 mi 7.8
Acorn Village Forest School Solvang 2.8 mi
Los Olivos Elementary Los Olivos 3.7 mi 5.0
Solvang Elementary Solvang 3.6 mi 5.1
Olive Grove Charter - Buellton Santa Maria 5.9 mi
MIDLAND SCHOOL CORPORATION Los Olivos 8.0 mi 7.1
Jonata Middle Buellton 6.6 mi 5.8
Santa Ynez Valley Family School Los Olivos 8.1 mi
THE FAMILY SCHOOL Los Olivos 8.2 mi 5.7
Hundred Hills Buellton 6.9 mi
Oak Valley Elementary Buellton 7.1 mi 4.8
Vista de Las Cruces Gaviota 11.2 mi 8.8
Olga L. Reed Elementary Los Alamos 14.0 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 Valley Charter 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
COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bakersfield, CA 4.1
Cinnabar Charter Petaluma, CA 4.1
Lake Marie Elementary Whittier, CA 4.1
New Jerusalem Tracy, CA 4.1
Richmond Elementary Susanville, CA 4.1
Achieve Charter School of Chico Chico, CA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Ynez Valley Charter

What grades does Santa Ynez Valley Charter serve?

Santa Ynez Valley Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Santa Ynez Valley Charter?

Santa Ynez Valley Charter has an enrollment of approximately 170 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Ynez Valley Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Ynez Valley Charter is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Santa Ynez Valley Charter rank in CA?

Santa Ynez Valley Charter is ranked #8756 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Santa Ynez Valley Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Ynez Valley Charter 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 Ynez Valley Charter?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Ynez Valley Charter has 27.7% math proficiency and 54.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Santa Ynez Valley Charter a charter school?

Yes, Santa Ynez Valley Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Santa Ynez Valley Charter a Title I school?

No, Santa Ynez Valley Charter is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Ynez Valley Charter?

22.4% of students at Santa Ynez Valley Charter 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

County Safety
Average (281/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
170
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Ynez Valley Charter District
District Enrollment
170
Schools in District
1
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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