Bishop Garcia Diego High School Photo

Best Santa Barbara Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 private schools serving 2,629 students in Santa Barbara, CA (there are 33 public schools, serving 13,380 public students). 16% 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 The Knox School Of Santa Barbara, Laguna Blanca School, and Crane Country Day School.
The average acceptance rate is 73%, 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 Christian).

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
(Catholic)
(40)
4000 La Colina Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-1266
Gr: 9-12 | 282 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate 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: K-8 | 39 students Avg. class size: 9 students Tuition 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
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
Montessori School
1201 E Yanonali St
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 560-0855
Gr: PK-K | 55 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
2,629 Students
665,722 Students
% Average Students of Color
34%
51%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
344 Teachers
55,562 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
62%
59%
Average Class Size
15 students
17 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
15 courses
Average SAT score
1233
(Out of 1600)
1262
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
27

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$26,748
$18,024
Average % on Financial Aid
34%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$10,809
$8,935
Average Acceptance Rate
73%
81%
Average Endowment Size
$22 million
$34.01 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.66
0.74
# American Indian Students
6 Students
3,584 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
87 Students
72,174 Students
% Asian Students
4%
11%
# Hispanic Students
453 Students
104,627 Students
% Hispanic Students
18%
16%
# Black Students
31 Students
30,466 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%
# White Students
1,171 Students
236,488 Students
% White Students
48%
37%
# Hawaiian Students
6 Students
5,515 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
706 Students
190,072 Students
% of Others Students
29%
30%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
7 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 The Knox School Of Santa Barbara, Laguna Blanca School, and Crane Country Day 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?
16% 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 Christian).
Which private schools in Santa Barbara are often viewed compared to one another?

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