For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 1,879 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 37% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), 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 73% 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 (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
La Colina Junior High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4025 Foothill Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4506
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-4506
Gr: 7-8 | 832 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
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
Gr: 5-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
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
Gr: 5-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: 7-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: #55.
La Cumbre Junior High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2255 Modoc Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-0761
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 687-0761
Gr: 7-8 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #66.
Santa Barbara Junior High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
721 East Cota St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-7751
Gr: 7-8 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
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
Gr: K-12 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
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 73% 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
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.