For the 2025-26 school year, there are 17 private schools serving 2,617 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 Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Crane Country Day School, and Laguna Blanca School.
The average acceptance rate is 73%, which is lower than the California private school average acceptance rate of 80%.
Top Ranked Santa Barbara Private Schools (2025-26)
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. 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
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(877) 673-8893
Gr: 6-12 Avg. class size: 1 student Tuition listed
4000 La Colina Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-1266
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
1795 San Leandro Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-7732
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
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 222-0107
Gr: K-8 | 39 students Avg. class size: 9 students Tuition listed
4125 Paloma Dr
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 687-2461
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 687-2461
Gr: PK-12 | 437 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 11 Tuition listed
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School![Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School Photo Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School Photo]()

(Catholic)
530 Hot Springs Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-5965
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
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
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 St. Raphael Elementary School Photo]()

(Catholic)
160 Saint Josephs St
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 967-2115
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 967-2115
Gr: PK-8 | 283 students Avg. class size: 26 students
1321 Alameda Padre Serra
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 682-2989
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
814 Santa Barbara St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 252-3825
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
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 701-4036
Gr: PK-8 | 8 students
3324 State St Ste M
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-9031
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
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. 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
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
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
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 560-0855
Gr: PK-K | 55 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Santa Barbara, California Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
2300 Garden Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-3717
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-3717
Gr: K-12 | 137 students Avg. class size: 11 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked private schools in Santa Barbara, CA?
The top ranked private schools in Santa Barbara, CA include Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Crane Country Day School, and Laguna Blanca 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 33% 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?
Which private schools in Santa Barbara are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Santa Barbara include: Eureka School Of Santa Barbara vs. Anacapa School, The Riviera Ridge School vs. Laguna Blanca School, Cachuma Continuation And Middle School vs. Crane Country Day School
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