Average
#6152 of 9,533 schools in CA
Washington Elementary
Elementary School · Santa Barbara Unified
290 Lighthouse Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Enrollment
486
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
486
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Barbara
#25 of 29
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,685 of 5,817
In district
#14 of 19
Santa Barbara Unified
Equity
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Washington Elementary
Washington Elementary serves 486 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Santa Barbara, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 supported by 27 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #694 out of 9,566 California elementary schools, placing it in the 93rd percentile statewide. Academically, Washington Elementary demonstrates solid performance with 59% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 56% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education across all grade levels, earning an academic score of 8.2 out of 10. The school serves a diverse community where 56% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, though the area also includes families facing economic challenges with a poverty rate of 17.8%. The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $121,250 and median home values of $1,705,700, reflecting Santa Barbara's coastal California setting.
Washington Elementary operates as a regular public school in this small city environment, providing students with educational opportunities in one of California's most scenic coastal communities along the central coast.
Score Breakdown
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Washington Elementary — Students at Washington Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 2.9/10.
How Washington Elementary Compares
See how Washington Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 55.15% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 58.82% (2024).
Location
290 Lighthouse Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Washington Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Monroe Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harding University Partnership (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Roosevelt Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Barbara, see our Santa Barbara schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Grove Charter - Santa Barbara Santa Maria | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Monroe Elementary Santa Barbara | 0.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Harding University Partnership Santa Barbara | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| McKinley Elementary Santa Barbara | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Santa Barbara Community Academy Santa Barbara | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| La Cumbre Junior High Santa Barbara | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| ST THERESE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Santa Barbara | 2.1 mi | — |
| Fusion Academy Santa Barbara Santa Barbara | 2.0 mi | — |
| THE KNOX SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| ANACAPA SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Peace in a Pod Elementary Santa Barbara | 2.1 mi | — |
| La Cuesta Continuation High Santa Barbara | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Alta Vista Alternative High Santa Barbara | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Alta Vista Santa Barbara | 2.1 mi | — |
| Adams Elementary Santa Barbara | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Santa Barbara | 2.7 mi | 8.0 |
| PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Santa Barbara Senior High Santa Barbara | 2.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Santa Barbara Junior High Santa Barbara | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93109 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$126,875
Median Home Value
$1,836,300
Median Rent
$2,870/mo
Population
11,069
College Educated
58.4%
Homeownership
54.7%
Avg Commute
16.8 min
Poverty Rate
15.3%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Washington Elementary has a median household income of $126,875. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,836,300, with a median rent of $2,870/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo, CA | 5.7 |
| Abraham Lincoln Paramount, CA | 5.7 |
| Albert Baxter Elementary Bellflower, CA | 5.7 |
| Alicia Cortez Elementary Chino, CA | 5.7 |
| Ansgar Larsen Elementary Oxnard, CA | 5.7 |
| Arroyo Verde Elementary Highland, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Washington Elementary
What grades does Washington Elementary serve?
Washington Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Washington Elementary?
Washington Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 486 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Washington Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Washington Elementary is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Washington Elementary rank in CA?
Washington Elementary is ranked #6152 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Washington Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Washington Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Washington Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Washington Elementary has 58.5% math proficiency and 61.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Washington Elementary a charter school?
No, Washington Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Washington Elementary a Title I school?
No, Washington Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Washington Elementary?
45.1% of students at Washington Elementary 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
- High (2,470/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Barbara). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 486
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 965-6653
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Barbara Unified- District Enrollment
- 12,491
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,094
- District Rank
- #14 of 19
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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