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Average

#5930 of 9,539 schools in CA

Santa Ynez Valley Union High

High School · Santa Ynez Valley Union High

2975 Mission Dr., Solvang, CA 93463

Enrollment

850

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,930 of 9,539

In Solvang

#3 of 3

public schools

School environment

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Santa Ynez Valley Union High

5.8/10

High School in Solvang · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Refugio High

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy

4.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Santa Ynez Valley Union High

Santa Ynez Valley Union High is a public high school in Solvang, CA, part of Santa Ynez Valley Union High. Santa Ynez Valley Union High serves approximately 850 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Santa Ynez Valley Union High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #5,930 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Santa Ynez Valley Union High show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below CA schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • CA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+1.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.4 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%
AP Participation21.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,274
Chronic Absenteeism20.5%

Santa Ynez Valley Union High — Students at Santa Ynez Valley Union High score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 55.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 68.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
79%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
79%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
49%
ELA
70%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
29.5%
ELA
46.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.

How Santa Ynez Valley Union High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in CA
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.6
Sports
4
1 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
21.8% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
1 boys'·3 girls'·10 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2975 Mission Dr., Solvang, CA 93463

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Ynez Valley Union High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. DUNN SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Los Olivos), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MIDLAND SCHOOL CORPORATION (rated 7.1/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Los Olivos), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Solvang, see our Solvang schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Refugio High Solvang 0.0 mi
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Ynez 0.2 mi 4.7
Santa Ynez Elementary Santa Ynez 0.9 mi 7.6
College Elementary Santa Ynez 1.2 mi
Santa Ynez Valley Charter Santa Ynez 1.2 mi 4.1
Acorn Village Forest School Solvang 1.7 mi
Ballard Elementary Solvang 2.3 mi 8.1
Solvang Elementary Solvang 2.5 mi 8.1
DUNN SCHOOL Los Olivos 3.4 mi 7.8
Dunn School Los Olivos 3.4 mi
Los Olivos Elementary Los Olivos 4.0 mi 7.4
Olive Grove Charter - Buellton Santa Maria 4.9 mi
Jonata Middle Buellton 5.7 mi 8.7
Hundred Hills Buellton 6.0 mi
Oak Valley Elementary Buellton 6.1 mi 5.0
MIDLAND SCHOOL CORPORATION Los Olivos 8.6 mi 7.1
Santa Ynez Valley Family School Los Olivos 8.8 mi
THE FAMILY SCHOOL Los Olivos 8.9 mi 5.7
Vista de Las Cruces Gaviota 10.1 mi 5.2
Olga L. Reed Elementary Los Alamos 13.6 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93463 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$130,123

Median Home Value

$1,044,100

Median Rent

$1,895/mo

Population

8,099

College Educated

43.7%

Homeownership

62.6%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.5%

Median Age

53.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy Los Angeles, CA 5.8
California City High California City, CA 5.8
Impact Academy of Arts & Technology Oakland, CA 5.8
Lassen High Susanville, CA 5.8
Pomona High Pomona, CA 5.8
Samueli Academy Santa Ana, CA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Ynez Valley Union High

What grades does Santa Ynez Valley Union High serve?

Santa Ynez Valley Union High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Santa Ynez Valley Union High?

Santa Ynez Valley Union High has an enrollment of approximately 850 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Ynez Valley Union High is 19.8:1. 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 Union High rank in CA?

Santa Ynez Valley Union High ranks #5,930 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Santa Ynez Valley Union High's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Ynez Valley Union High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Santa Ynez Valley Union High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Santa Ynez Valley Union High has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Santa Ynez Valley Union High a charter school?

No, Santa Ynez Valley Union High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Santa Ynez Valley Union High a Title I school?

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

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

27.1% of students at Santa Ynez Valley Union 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Santa Barbara County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.5%
4-Year Graduation
95.0%

District

Santa Ynez Valley Union High
District Enrollment
862
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,274
District Rank
#1 of 1

Other Schools in This District

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