Santa Barbara Middle School Photo - Creative Arts take on many personalities at SBMS. Each student chooses 10 electives every year. Creative Arts classes range from Singing, Photography, Movie Making, Guitar, Final Cut Pro, Programming, Drone flying, Drama, Songwriting, studio art, ceramics and many, many more.

Best Santa Barbara Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 private schools serving 2,340 students in Santa Barbara, CA (there are 33 public schools, serving 13,198 public students). 17% of all K-12 students in Santa Barbara, CA are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The top-ranked private schools in Santa Barbara, CA include Crane Country Day School, Laguna Blanca School, and Bishop Garcia Diego High School.
The average acceptance rate is 58%, which is lower than the California private school average acceptance rate of 81%.
41% of private schools in Santa Barbara, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Presbyterian).

Top-Ranked Santa Barbara Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Fusion Academy Santa Barbara
Fusion Academy Santa Barbara Photo - Classes at Fusion are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. Students have different teachers for different subjects, and teachers act as mentors in the one-to-one setting.
Alternative School
510 State Street, 2nd Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(877) 673-8893
Gr: 6-12 Avg. class size: 1 student Tuition listed
Bishop Garcia Diego High School
Bishop Garcia Diego High School Photo - More than a graduation. A celebration of growth, achievement, and students who are truly formed for life.
(Catholic)
(40)
4000 La Colina Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-1266
Gr: 9-12 Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition listed
Crane Country Day School
Crane Country Day School Photo - Each 8th Grader presents a Current Event at a daily all-school assembly, in conjunction with their public speaking class. The daily assembly allows students to perform and present in front of the entire school community, developing stage presence and public speaking skills.
(1)
1795 San Leandro Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-7732
Gr: K-8 | 260 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Knox School Of Santa Barbara
Special Program Emphasis
1525 Santa Barbara St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 222-0107
Gr: PK-8 | 36 students Avg. class size: 9 students Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Laguna Blanca School
Laguna Blanca School Photo
4125 Paloma Dr
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 687-2461
Gr: PK-12 | 449 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 11 Tuition listed
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School Photo
(Catholic)
530 Hot Springs Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-5965
Gr: PK-8 | 188 students Sports: 4 Tuition listed
Providence School
(Christian)
3225 Calle Pinon
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 962-3091
Gr: NS-12 | 379 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed
The Riviera Ridge School
(1)
2130 Mission Ridge Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 569-1811
Gr: PK-8 | 243 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Raphael Elementary School
St. Raphael Elementary School Photo
(Catholic)
160 Saint Josephs St
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 967-2115
Gr: PK-8 | 283 students Avg. class size: 26 students
Santa Barbara Middle School
Santa Barbara Middle School Photo - Every Friday morning at 6:45, anyone who choses, meets at the beach for a sunrise swim. We circle up as a community. The 9th graders read a quote for the week, then whomever wants to, runs in for a morning wake up plunge! After a few waves are ridden, the dip is followed by hot chocolate, coffee and donuts!
Alternative School
(14)
1321 Alameda Padre Serra
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 682-2989
Gr: 6-9 | 181 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 23 | Extracurrculars: 21 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Anacapa School
814 Santa Barbara St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 252-3825
Gr: 7-12 | 52 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 5 Tuition listed
4500 Highway 154
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 701-4036
Gr: PK-8 | 8 students
3324 State St Ste M
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-9031
Gr: 10-12 | 7 students
First Presbyterian Church Early Childhood Center
Daycare / Preschool (Presbyterian)
21 E. Constance Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-6362
Gr: NS-PK | 68 students Avg. class size: 8 students Extracurrculars: 1
Notre Dame School
Notre Dame School Photo - Notre Dame School is a Catholic elementary school in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.
(Catholic)
33 E Micheltorena St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-1033
Gr: PK-8 | 115 students
St. Therese Classical Academy
(Catholic)
33 E Micheltorena St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 683-1111
Gr: 5-12 | 20 students
Sunrise Montessori School
Sunrise Montessori School Photo - 3 to 6 year old Suns Classroom
Montessori School
1201 E Yanonali St
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 560-0855
Gr: PK-K | 51 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara, California Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
2300 Garden Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-3717
Gr: K-12 | 137 students Avg. class size: 11 students

Overview

This Town (Santa Barbara)
This State (CA)
# Schools
17 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
2,340 Students
662,685 Students
% Average Students of Color
34%
51%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
341 Teachers
55,616 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
63%
59%
Average Class Size
15 students
17 students
Average Number of AP Courses
18 courses
15 courses
Average SAT score
1330
(Out of 1600)
1263
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
27

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$30,105
$18,269
Average % on Financial Aid
33%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$11,624
$8,961
Average Acceptance Rate
58%
81%
Average Endowment Size
$22 million
$33.76 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.66
0.74
# American Indian Students
6 Students
3,577 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
87 Students
72,084 Students
% Asian Students
4%
11%
# Hispanic Students
453 Students
104,475 Students
% Hispanic Students
18%
16%
# Black Students
31 Students
30,279 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%
# White Students
1,171 Students
235,974 Students
% White Students
48%
37%
# Hawaiian Students
6 Students
5,499 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
702 Students
188,687 Students
% of Others Students
29%
29%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
9 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Santa Barbara, CA?
The top-ranked private schools in Santa Barbara, CA include Crane Country Day School, Laguna Blanca School, and Bishop Garcia Diego High School.
How many private schools are located in Santa Barbara?
17 private schools are located in Santa Barbara.
How diverse are private schools in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara private schools are approximately 34% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 51%.
What percentage of students in Santa Barbara go to private school?
17% of all K-12 students in Santa Barbara are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Santa Barbara?
41% of private schools in Santa Barbara are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Presbyterian).
Which private schools in Santa Barbara are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Choosing Between a Traditional Private School and a Microschool
Choosing Between a Traditional Private School and a Microschool
Compare traditional private schools and microschools to understand differences in academics, class size, flexibility, cost, and student experience before choosing the best educational fit.
The Second Visit Strategy: What to Look for After the Open House
The Second Visit Strategy: What to Look for After the Open House
A second campus visit can reveal what an open house cannot. Learn what to observe, which questions to ask, and how to determine whether a private school is truly the right fit for your child.
How Policy Changes Could Affect Your Tuition Bill in 2026
How Policy Changes Could Affect Your Tuition Bill in 2026
Learn how federal and state policy changes may affect private school tuition, financial aid, tax benefits, and your family's education budget.