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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How The Riviera Ridge School compares to 27 public schools serving similar grades in Santa Barbara, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.8:1
This School
vs
16.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
200
This School
vs
339
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.5
This School
vs
7.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 73.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 12% vs 0%
Asian 10.5% vs 0%
Black 3% vs 0%
The Riviera Ridge School Santa Barbara Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,282.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 43%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 200
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)

White 73.5%
Hispanic 12.0%
Asian 10.5%
Black 3.0%
Two or More 1.0%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,470/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Barbara). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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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