For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 4,328 students in Santa Barbara, CA.
The top ranked public high schools in Santa Barbara, CA are Alta Vista Alternative High School, Santa Barbara County Community and Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Barbara, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Santa Barbara have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public high schools.
Santa Barbara, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is San Marcos Senior High School, with 93% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Santa Barbara, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Alta Vista Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
215 East Ortega St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Grades: 9-12
| 134 students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Santa Barbara County Community
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-5307
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-5307
Grades: 5-12
| 14 students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-5307
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-5307
Grades: 5-12
| 30 students
Rank: #44.
San Marcos Senior High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4750 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Grades: 9-12
| 1,943 students
Rank: #55.
Alta Vista
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
215 East Ortega St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Grades: 7-9
| 4 students
Rank: #66.
Santa Barbara Senior High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
700 East Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Grades: 9-12
| 2,046 students
Rank: #77.
La Cuesta Continuation High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
710 Santa Barbara St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-0883
Grades: 9-12
| 103 students
Rank: #88.
Santa Barbara County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 964-4711
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 964-4711
Grades: K-12
| 54 students
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Barbara County Rop-south
Vocational School
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-4711
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-4711
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Santa Barbara, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Community Day (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
4025 Foothill Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 966-0883
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 966-0883
Grades: 7-8
| n/a students
Home School Santa Barbara Elementary School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
721 Cota St Rm. 153
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 896-2634
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 896-2634
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
Home School Santa Barbara Secondary (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
721 Cota St Rm. 153
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
4025 Foothill Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 683-3127
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 683-3127
Grades: K-6
| 70 students
San Marcos Bridge Elementary School (Closed 2017)
Alternative School
4750 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4581
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Santa Barbara Alternative Elementary School (Closed 2017)
Alternative School
700 E. Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9101
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
Po Box 6307
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 964-4711
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 964-4711
Grades: K-12
| 274 students
Summit High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
430 East Gutierrez St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-7490
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-7490
Grades: 9-12
| 1 students
Summit High School Ii (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
430 East Gutierrez St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-7490
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-7490
Grades: 9-12
| 13 students
Visions Academy Charter (Closed 2015)
Charter School
3412 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(661) 272-1225
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(661) 272-1225
Grades: K-12
| 11 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Santa Barbara, CA?
The top ranked public high schools in Santa Barbara, CA include Alta Vista Alternative High School, Santa Barbara County Community and Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court.
How many public high schools are located in Santa Barbara?
9 public high schools are located in Santa Barbara.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara public high schools minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Santa Barbara are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Santa Barbara include: Santa Barbara Senior High School vs. San Marcos Senior High School, Alta Vista vs. San Marcos Senior High School, La Cuesta Continuation High School vs. Santa Barbara Senior High School
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