Very Good
#217 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 12% of private schools
The Riviera Ridge School
Elementary School
2130 MISSION RIDGE RD, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 29 schools in Santa Barbara. Learn more
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Santa Barbara
#1 of 10
public schools
California elementary schools
#112 of 1,102
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About The Riviera Ridge School
THE RIVIERA RIDGE SCHOOL stands out as one of California's premier elementary schools, serving 200 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Santa Barbara. This regular public school has earned remarkable recognition, ranking 15th out of 1,790 schools statewide and placing in the 99th percentile with an impressive 9.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. What makes this school particularly special is its exceptional 6.8-to-1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 30 full-time equivalent teachers.
This low ratio ensures students receive individualized attention that can make a significant difference in their educational experience. The intimate school environment allows teachers to truly know each student and tailor their approach accordingly. The school serves families in the 93103 area, where the median household income reaches $104,238 and 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
This educated community, with a median home value of $1,332,400, reflects the high value placed on quality education in the neighborhood. Located on Mission Ridge Road in Santa Barbara's small city setting, The Riviera Ridge School benefits from both the resources of an engaged, affluent community and the charm of its coastal California location.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, The Riviera Ridge School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, The Riviera Ridge School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $45,018
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $44,871
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.00x — Tight
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 83%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $11.4M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 200 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Riviera Ridge School compares to 27 public schools serving similar grades in Santa Barbara, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Riviera Ridge School (this school) | 7.5 |
| Roosevelt Elementary | 8.0 |
| Peabody Charter | 8.2 |
| Santa Barbara Junior High | 5.3 |
| Alta Vista | — |
| Adams Elementary | 7.4 |
| La Cumbre Junior High | 5.8 |
| Santa Barbara Community Academy | 5.9 |
| Harding University Partnership | 8.2 |
| Franklin Elementary | 8.3 |
| Adelante Charter | 8.7 |
| Monte Vista Elementary | 8.4 |
| Cleveland Elementary | 8.4 |
| McKinley Elementary | 7.0 |
| Hope Elementary | 8.6 |
| Cold Spring Elementary | 9.7 |
| La Colina Junior High | 7.9 |
| Monroe Elementary | 8.9 |
| Washington Elementary | 5.7 |
| Vieja Valley Elementary | 9.0 |
| Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court | 7.8 |
Showing 20 of 27 schools. View all schools in Santa Barbara
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
2130 MISSION RIDGE RD, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Riviera Ridge School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peabody Charter (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Roosevelt Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SANTA BARBARA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Santa Barbara, see our Santa Barbara schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| The Riviera Ridge School Santa Barbara | 0.0 mi | — |
| Roosevelt Elementary Santa Barbara | 0.4 mi | 8.0 |
| THE KNOX SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| SANTA BARBARA MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Santa Barbara Middle School Santa Barbara | 0.9 mi | — |
| NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| ST THERESE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Santa Barbara | 1.0 mi | — |
| Santa Barbara Senior High Santa Barbara | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Peabody Charter Santa Barbara | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Peace in a Pod Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.5 mi | — |
| ANACAPA SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| La Cuesta Continuation High Santa Barbara | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Alta Vista Alternative High Santa Barbara | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Alta Vista Santa Barbara | 1.6 mi | — |
| Santa Barbara Junior High Santa Barbara | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| La Cumbre Junior High Santa Barbara | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Eureka School of Santa Barbara Santa Barbara | 1.5 mi | — |
| Santa Barbara Community Academy Santa Barbara | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
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 The Riviera Ridge School 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 |
|---|---|
| BEECHWOOD SCHOOL Menlo Park, CA | 7.5 |
| Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego San Marcos, CA | 7.5 |
| CARLTHORP SCHOOL Santa Monica, CA | 7.5 |
| Elk Hills Elementary Tupman, CA | 7.5 |
| Hoover Elementary Burlingame, CA | 7.5 |
| Joshua Tree Elementary Twentynine Palms, CA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Riviera Ridge School
What grades does The Riviera Ridge School serve?
The Riviera Ridge School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend The Riviera Ridge School?
The Riviera Ridge School has an enrollment of approximately 200 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Riviera Ridge School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Riviera Ridge School is 6.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Riviera Ridge School rank in CA?
The Riviera Ridge School is ranked #217 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is The Riviera Ridge School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Riviera Ridge School has a composite rating of 7.5 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.
Is The Riviera Ridge School a private school?
Yes, The Riviera Ridge School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The Riviera Ridge School a religious school?
No, The Riviera Ridge School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 200
- Gender Split
- 49% M / 51% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 171 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- SANTA BARBARA
- Phone
- (805) 569-1811
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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