Montessori Center School Photo

Best Santa Barbara County Private Preschools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 18 private preschools serving 2,978 students in Santa Barbara County, CA.
The top ranked private preschools in Santa Barbara County, CA include Laguna Blanca School, Children's Montessori School, and The Family School.
The average acceptance rate is 84%, which is higher than the California private preschool average acceptance rate of 82%.
44% of private preschools in Santa Barbara County, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top Ranked Santa Barbara County Private Preschools (2025-26)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Children's Montessori School
Children's Montessori School Photo - Children's Montessori School Facility
Montessori School
(2)
1000 W. Ocean Ave.
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 757-6263
Gr: PK-6 | 19 students Avg. class size: 10 students Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Family School
The Family School Photo
5300 Figueroa Mountain Road
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-5440
Gr: PK-5 | 93 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Howard School
The Howard School Photo
(2)
5315 Foothill Rd
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 745-8448
Gr: PK-8 | 112 students Avg. class size: 10 students
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. Mary Of Assumption School
St. Mary Of Assumption School Photo - St. Mary's Preschool provides children 2-5 years old the opportunity to begin thier life of learning in a safe environment grounded in Catholic values.
(Catholic)
424 E. Cypress Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 925-6713
Gr: PK-8 | 228 students Sports: 2 Tuition 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
4500 Highway 154
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 701-4036
Gr: PK-8 | 8 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
La Purisima Concepcion School
(Catholic)
219 W Olive Ave
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 736-6210
Gr: PK-8 | 173 students
Montessori Center School
Montessori Center School Photo
Montessori School
401 N Fairview Ave # 1
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 693-9383
Gr: PK-6 | 235 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition listed
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
Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy
(Christian)
891 North Refugio Road
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
(805) 688-3830
Gr: PK-8 | 178 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 1
South Coast Montessori
South Coast Montessori Photo - The Waldorf School of Santa Barbara
Montessori School
(3)
7421 Mirano Dr
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 845-6555
Gr: PK-K | 92 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
South Coast Montessori School
South Coast Montessori School Photo - Beautiful outdoor play yards for the children to enjoy each day
Montessori School
(4)
7421 Mirano Dr
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 845-6555
Gr: NS-6 | 72 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition listed
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 County, California

Santa Barbara County Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
1331 East Foster Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-0991
Gr: PK-K | 28 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
709 N Curryer St
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 928-3713
Gr: K-6 | 95 students
2300 Garden Street
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 preschools in Santa Barbara County, CA?
The top ranked private preschools in Santa Barbara County, CA include Laguna Blanca School, Children's Montessori School, and The Family School.
How many private preschools are located in Santa Barbara County?
18 private preschools are located in Santa Barbara County.
How diverse are private preschools in Santa Barbara County?
Santa Barbara County private preschools are approximately 39% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 50%.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in Santa Barbara County?
44% of private preschools in Santa Barbara County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private preschools in Santa Barbara County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private preschools in Santa Barbara County include: The Riviera Ridge School vs. Laguna Blanca School

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