For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 1,947 students in Santa Barbara, CA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Santa Barbara, CA are La Colina Junior 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 middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the California public middle school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Santa Barbara have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Santa Barbara, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
La Colina Junior High School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4025 Foothill Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4506
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4506
Grades: 7-8
| 893 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 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: #2 - 32. - 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.
La Cumbre Junior High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2255 Modoc Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-0761
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-0761
Grades: 7-8
| 450 students
Rank: #55.
Santa Barbara Junior High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
721 East Cota St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Grades: 7-8
| 502 students
Rank: #66.
Alta Vista
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 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: #77.
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
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 middle schools in Santa Barbara, CA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Santa Barbara, CA include La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara County Community and Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court.
How many public middle schools are located in Santa Barbara?
7 public middle schools are located in Santa Barbara.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara public middle schools minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Santa Barbara are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Santa Barbara include: La Cumbre Junior High School vs. La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Junior High School vs. La Colina Junior High School, La Colina Junior High School vs. Santa Barbara Junior High School
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