Laguna Blanca School Photo

Best Santa Barbara Private Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 9 private preschools serving 1,788 students in Santa Barbara, CA.
The top-ranked private preschools in Santa Barbara, CA include The Riviera Ridge School, St. Raphael Elementary School, and Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School.
The average acceptance rate is 88%, which is higher than the California private preschool average acceptance rate of 82%.
56% of private preschools in Santa Barbara, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top-Ranked Santa Barbara Private Preschools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
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
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
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
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
9 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
1,788 Students
363,093 Students
% Average Students of Color
35%
50%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
184 Teachers
26,505 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
14:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
62%
58%
Average Class Size
17 students
18 students
Average Number of AP Courses
20 courses
12 courses
Average SAT score
1330
(Out of 1600)
1284
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
27

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$25,345
$15,625
Average % on Financial Aid
23%
25%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$10,618
$5,553
Average Acceptance Rate
88%
82%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.65
0.70
# American Indian Students
6 Students
1,693 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
58 Students
30,302 Students
% Asian Students
3%
9%
# Hispanic Students
342 Students
43,007 Students
% Hispanic Students
19%
12%
# Black Students
19 Students
12,399 Students
% Black Students
1%
4%
# White Students
904 Students
112,254 Students
% White Students
51%
32%
# Hawaiian Students
5 Students
2,000 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
454 Students
144,324 Students
% of Others Students
26%
42%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
3 extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
6 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private preschools in Santa Barbara, CA?
The top-ranked private preschools in Santa Barbara, CA include The Riviera Ridge School, St. Raphael Elementary School, and Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School.
How many private preschools are located in Santa Barbara?
9 private preschools are located in Santa Barbara.
How diverse are private preschools in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara private preschools are approximately 35% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 50%.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in Santa Barbara?
56% of private preschools in Santa Barbara are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private preschools in Santa Barbara are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private preschools in Santa Barbara include: The Riviera Ridge School vs. Laguna Blanca School

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