Average
#5385 of 9,533 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
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Solvang
#2 of 3
public schools
California high schools
#1,149 of 1,892
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Santa Ynez Valley Union High
Santa Ynez Valley Union High in Solvang serves about 850 students in grades nine through twelve. As a regular public high school, it's the region's comprehensive option for secondary education, located at 2975 Mission Drive in this charming Santa Barbara County town. The school has 43 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of approximately 20 to 1.
This size allows for a manageable learning environment within the broader high school setting. Academically, Santa Ynez Valley Union High is working toward strengthening its core subjects. In English language arts and reading, about 53 percent of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels, indicating solid progress in literacy.
Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 32 percent of students performing at proficient levels or higher. The school's academic score of 5.9 out of 10 reflects these mixed results as it continues developing its instructional programs. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.9 out of 10, the school ranks in the 42nd percentile statewide among California's nearly 10,000 schools.
This positioning suggests the school is focusing on student development and improvement across core academic areas. Santa Ynez Valley Union High offers families in the Solvang area a local high school option in this small, tight-knit community.
Score Breakdown
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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: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.1%
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: 2.6/10.
How Santa Ynez Valley Union High Compares
See how Santa Ynez Valley Union High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 29.47% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 46.45% (2024).
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 slightly 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 | 6.3 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| Solvang Elementary Solvang | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| DUNN SCHOOL Los Olivos | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Dunn School Los Olivos | 3.4 mi | — |
| Los Olivos Elementary Los Olivos | 4.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Olive Grove Charter - Buellton Santa Maria | 4.9 mi | — |
| Jonata Middle Buellton | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Hundred Hills Buellton | 6.0 mi | — |
| Oak Valley Elementary Buellton | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| 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 | 8.8 |
| Olga L. Reed Elementary Los Alamos | 13.6 mi | 6.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Santa Ynez Valley Union High has a median household income of $130,123. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,044,100, with a median rent of $1,895/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Alliance Marine - Innovation and Technology 6-12 Complex Sun Valley, CA | 6.1 |
| Augustus Hawkins High Los Angeles, CA | 6.1 |
| CBK Charter Riverside, CA | 6.1 |
| Cambridge Continuation High Fresno, CA | 6.1 |
| Exeter Union High Exeter, CA | 6.1 |
| Kingsburg High Kingsburg, CA | 6.1 |
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 is ranked #5385 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Santa Ynez Valley Union High's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Ynez Valley Union High has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Union High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Ynez Valley Union High has 32.3% math proficiency and 53.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Solvang). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (805) 688-6487
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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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